Box Score

SAN DIEGO - The first match of 2013 goes into the win column for the Point Loma volleyball team as it swept Cal State Stanislaus 25-20, 25-16 and 25-22 at the Seaside Invitational on Friday, Sept. 6.

Heather Leavitt posted a .419 hitting percentage with 13 kills and no errors to pace four Sea Lions with double-figure kills. She also added 14 digs for her fourth career double-double. PLNU also received 10 kills apiece from Delaney McCraney, Alyssa Dwyer and Kelli LeClair. LeClair also posted a double-double as she added 11 digs.

"I think our pin hitters are really strong, and Kelli (LeClair), Heather (Leavitt) and Delaney (McCraney) all did a very great job tonight," said PLNU head coach Sarah Gustin. "We struggled getting our middles the ball at the beginning but were able to get them some very good swings at the end.

"I don't think we really have a weakness on this team," added Gustin. "It is just a matter of who is playing well that night and tonight was just a very balanced night for everyone."

In addition to the balanced offensive attack, Point Loma put together one of its better defensive performances in years. PLNU held CSUS below .083 hitting in each set and end the match with a .291 to .070 advantage in the hitting percentage category. Freshman Christin Fisher stepped right into the lineup and led the team with 17 digs.

"Fifty percent of our practices have been defense only," said Gustin. "We have been working really hard on our blocking and improving that from last season, and it is starting to pay off. Fisher has stepped in and done a good job taking over Nicole Eiler's spot.

"Overall all our defenders are better (this year)," noted Gustin. "We are making better moves and getting more balls up so it makes it very difficult on the other team."

The Sea Lions opened the match with a tough battle in the first set. PLNU held a narrow one-point lead at 19-18 after the Warriors had rattled off five straight points. After a well-timed timeout by coach Gustin the Sea Lions returned to the court and took five of the next seven points to win the set 25-20.

With Cal State Stanislaus still on its heels from that loss in the first set, PLNU quickly jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the second set and held on for a 25-16 win.

The third set proved to be a big challenge for Point Loma as it looked for the sweep. PLNU fell behind 13-9 and were trailing 18-15 before making their comeback. The Sea Lions would score 10 of the next 14 points but were gifted seven of those final 10 points on errors by the Warriors.

"We'll take a win however they come, especially the first one," said Gustin with a smile on her face.

The Seaside Invitational will continue on Friday night and extend to Saturday. PLNU will take on Montana State Billings on Friday night before coming back on Saturday to take on Cal State Dominguez Hills (11:00 a.m.) and Texas A&M International (7:00 p.m.)