SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos volleyball team (1-5) fell twice on Friday in the Cougar Classic, dropping a four-set match to Westmont (5-1) before falling in three sets to Azusa Pacific (3-3).
MATCH 1: CSUSM 1 – Westmont 3 (25-19, 24-26, 20-25, 18-25).
TOP PERFORMERS
Jessica Thomas – 13 kills | 2 blocks
Alyssa Gurrola – 5 blocks | 3 kills
Gracie Zaitz – 42 assists | 11 digs | 1 ace
Jackie Phillips – 21 digs | 6 assists
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Cougars went up early at 5-2 and never trailed the remaining of the opening set to take a 25-19 win.
- The second set was a battle with nine ties and six lead changes as CSUSM waved off three set points before the Warriors evened the match at 1-1 with a 26-24 win.
- Once again, CSUSM took a quick early lead at 7-3 but the Warriors charged back to claim a 25-20 third-set victory to go up 2-1 in the match.
- In the fourth set, the Warriors got out of the gate quickly with five unanswered points and held a match-high 20-9 lead. The Cougars tried to put together a rally with a 9-3 run but a Westmont block sealed the deal for the Warriors at 25-18.
QUICK HITS
- CSUSM tallied 10 more kills than Westmont in the match (50-40).
- The Warriors outblocked the Cougars 15-10
- Gracie Zaitz tallied CSUSM's first double-double of the season with 42 assists and 11 digs.
MATCH 2: CSUSM 0 – APU 3 (16-25, 23-25, 22-25)
TOP PERFORMERS
Addison Kranz – 14 kills | 1 block
Jessica Thomas – 12 kills | 2 digs
Gracie Zaitz – 37 assists | 14 digs
Gracie Beilby – 20 digs | 3 assists
HOW IT HAPPENED
- CSUSM found itself in the hole at 8-1 to APU and played catch up the entire first set before falling 25-16.
- The second set was a different story entirely as CSUSM got out to a 13-10 lead and battled until the very end, falling 25-23 as APU took a 2-0 lead in the match.
- The third set was a repeat of the second set with both teams battling back and forth before Azusa completed the sweep with a 25-22 victory.
QUICK HITS
- CSUSM is now 1-1 when playing in The Sports Center against APU.
- San Marcos tallied 47 kills to APU's 39 in the match.
- Azusa registered seven blocks and six aces to CSUSM's three blocks and two aces.
- Gracie Zaitz notched CSUSM's second double-double of the season with 37 assists and 14 digs
UP NEXT
CSUSM will wrap up the Cougar Classic tomorrow at 5 p.m. against Western Oregon in the tournament finale.
Latest Top News
- Olson Announces 2025 Outdoor Track & Field ScheduleWith the outdoor track & field season set to commence next month, Cal State San Marcos Track & Field Head Coach Torrey Olson announced the schedule for his men's and women's teams on Monday.
- Turnovers Cost Cougars Against Golden EaglesThe Cal State San Marcos men's basketball team (1-12, 1-6 CCAA) fell 87-67 against Cal State LA (6-8, 4-4 CCAA) on Saturday at The Sports Center.
- Late Comeback Falls Short Against CSULA, 74-66The Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team (0-13, 0-7 CCAA) dropped a 74-66 decision to Cal State LA (9-4, 4-4 CCAA) on Saturday afternoon at The Sports Center.
- CSUSM, Sonoma State Reschedule Postponed Basketball Doubleheader for Feb. 17The previously postponed Cal State San Marcos men's and women's basketball doubleheader against Sonoma State has been rescheduled for Monday, Feb. 17. The women's game will begin at 5 p.m. and will be followed by the men's contest at 7 p.m.
- Cougars Begin Homestand with 80-62 Loss to TorosThe Cal State San Marcos men's basketball team (1-11, 1-5 CCAA) began its four-game homestand with an 80-62 loss against CCAA leader Cal State Dominguez (11-3, 7-0 CCAA) on Thursday night at The Sports Center.
- CSUSM Falls to No. 3 CSUDH, 92-52The Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team (0-12, 0-6 CCAA) fell 92-52 to No. 3 Cal State Dominguez Hills (15-0, 7-0 CCAA) on Thursday night in The Sports Center.