Nov. 26, 2005

Box Score

STOCKTON, Calif. - The 20th-ranked Ohio volleyball team started off its west coast swing with a strong performance in defeating St. Mary's (Calif.) 3-1 (30-26, 30-20, 25-30, 30-27) in the opening round of the Pacific-hosted Community Bankers Classic.

The match-up between the Bobcats and the Gaels was the first meeting between the two programs. St. Mary's, currently listed 28th in the CSTV/AVCA Top 25 Poll, was a preseason top-25 selection and spent numerous weeks among the nation's best.

With the win, Ohio earned its 30th win of the season. The 30 wins marks a new program record. This season marks the third straight year the Bobcats have set a new record for wins in a season. Ohio won 28 in 2003, 29 last year and have 30 thus far this year.

Savanah Parra (Temecula, Calif.) made a triumphant return to her home state, setting the Ohio volleyball record for most assists in a single season. Parra ended the match with 71 assists to give her an even 1,500 on the year, eclipsing Briana Adamovsky's previous program-best of 1,453 set last year.

Julia Winkfield (Newark, Ohio) led an efficient Bobcat attack with 20 kills. Amanda Andersen (Lino Lakes, Minn.) posted a career-high 18 kills while hitting a team-best .455. Holly Schetzsle (Pataskala, Ohio) tallied 15 kills with Melissa Griffin (Whitehall, Mich.) adding 14.

The Blackburn sisters, Michaele and Stephanie (Cincinnati, Ohio), led a solid defensive effort. Michaele Blackburn paced Ohio with 24 digs while Stephanie Blackburn recorded 19. Parra finished the match with 12 digs.

Ohio will play Sacramento State in the finals of the Community Bankers Classic tomorrow at 10 p.m.