University of Louisville
vs. UCLA<BR>(Hawaiian Airlines Tourn.)
Volleyball Falls to No. 13 UCLA
August 30, 2003 | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 30, 2003
HONOLULU -- UCLA was Leonid Yelin's first-ever win seven years ago in his inaugural season here in Honolulu, but history did not repeat itself. The No. 22 ranked University of Louisville Cardinals were swept 30-24, 30-13, 32-30 by the No. 13 ranked UCLA Bruins.
U of L is 0-1 and UCLA is now 1-0 after the opener for both squads. The Cardinals play Minnesota at 7 p.m. EST.
"We did not get into a rhythm until the third game," said Leonid Yelin, U of L head coach. "We had some questions as to what system to play a 6-1 or 6-2 and we seemed to do better with the 6-2 using both our setters."
U of L hit .195, had five service errors and recorded no blocks in the first game. UCLA popped out to a 6-1 lead in the first game, forcing a U of L timeout. The Cardinals regrouped an pulled to within two at 17-15 on a service error by the Bruins. The Cardinals were outscored 7-2 in the next stretch and fell behind 24-17 before Yelin used his other timeout. Responding with four straight points, the Cardinals pulled to 25-22 and UCLA had to call timeout. UCLA marshalled to score five of the last seven points of the game. UCLA hit .289 and had six blocks in the win.
"I have to give UCLA a lot of credit. They took us out of our game and played their own game very well," said Yelin.
In the second game, Louisville let the Bruins out to a 9-2 lead to start and then could not stop a seven point run to fall behind 16-4. The margin proved too much to overcome especially when U of L was hitting just .033 in the game to the Bruins' .472. Anastasia Zaitseva came off the bench hand had a pair of kills and a block as a bright spot for the Cards.
"Anastasia helped us gain ball control and do much better on serve receive as well as hitting well." said Yelin.
After the break, U of L made some adjustments and didn't allow the Bruins to gain advantage. The Cardinals took their first lead at 20 on a lift call on the Bruins. The Bruins went on a 5-1 run to go ahead 25-21, but the Cardinals battled back to tie at 29 and 30. The Bruins got to match point on a miss by Bing Sun and then took the game and match on a kill by Brynn Murphy, who had 13 kills.
U of L was led by Bing Sun's 10 kills. Sonja Percan, who is playing in her first match in a year was held to just four kills. Lena Ustymenko had nine kills and six digs.
"We will make some adjustments and come out swinging tomorrow, " said Yelin.
