SAN FRANCISCO – Megan Vernoy only let her new career high in kills that she set last night, last 24 hours, as she eclipsed that with 25 kills in the stunning five set loss to CSU Dominguez Hills to close out the D-II Volleyball Showcase Tournament.
The Saints (2-4) jumped on the Toros (4-2) early, taking both of the first two sets, 25-22 and 25-19, before CSUDH roared back with victories in sets three (25-20) and four (25-17). In the fifth set, and the match tied at 13-13, the Toros managed to grind out the final two points they needed to secure the dramatic finish.
Both sides traded points and were evenly matched throughout the first set, with CSUDH taking their real lead at 15-12. The Saints responded with a 5-1 run of their own to regain the lead. The Toros answered back once again, but the Saints got the final blow, scoring five of the final six points to win the set.
The second set began tied 8-8 before the Saints established control with a 8-1 run, highlighted with three kills from Vernoy and a service ace by
Courtney Misner. The Toros managed to trim the lead to within four multiple times, but the Saints held strong for the set victory.
CSUDH began their comeback in the third set, taking an early 10-5 lead. The Saints continued to fight and forced the score to within one at 14-13; however, the Toros were able to hold off the Saints and advance towards a fourth set.
Two 5-0 runs and a late 6-1 by CSUDH provided them with the fuel needed to stave off the Saints once again and force a fifth and deciding final set.
The Toros gained the early lead with three straight kills, but the Saints responded with three of their own to take a 5-4 lead. After back-and-forth, and the score in favor of CSUDH, 10-9, the Toros scored three of the next four points to put the Saints on the rope. SMU, like all match, answered back and tied the game at 13-13 before the Toros secured the set with a kill and service ace to close out the dramatic fifth set.
"We played some good volleyball tonight," said head coach
Jon Killingbeck. "We just came up a little short. Megan (Vernoy) played insane tonight and that just makes us more dangerous for the future."
Vernoy capped off the tournament with a special 25 kill performance and an other-worldly .550 hitting percentage.
Emily Gooding was second with nine kills and three Saints managed seven kills each. Misner and Gondrezick both recorded 12 digs and Bartlett nearly hit 50 assists for the second time in the tournament with 47 tonight.
The Saints hit the road one more time, before returning home. SMU opens the conference season on the road at Simon Fraser on Thursday, September 6 at 7:00 p.m.
