SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – The Chaminade University women's volleyball team dropped a 25-18, 25-15, 11-25, 25-19 decision to No. 10 St. Cloud State to open Friday action in the Yotes Classic Showcase at The Den on the Cal State San Bernardino campus.
For the second straight match,
Anna Stucchi (Roncello, Italy/Santa Clara University/I.I.S. Ezio Vanoni HS) led the Silverswords with 10 kills and was efficient with a .400 attack percentage. She also had four blocks.
The 'Swords, ranked No. 12 in the AVCA Preseason Poll, hit just .131 and fell to 2-2 on the season and 0-2 in the tournament.
The Huskies (1-1) hit .279 in the match, paced by Kenzie Foley's 18 kills.
Mahala Ka'apuni (Hilo, Hawai'i/Alaska Anchorage/Hilo HS) added nine kills followed by
Letizia Cammillucci (Padova, Italy/San Jose State/Liceo Amedeo di Savoia Duca D'asosta HS) who had eight. Cammillucci also had a team-high 12 digs and two service aces.
Grace Talpash (Temecula, Calif./University of Oklahoma/Great Oak HS) provided a team-best 26 assists.
A 9-1 Huskies run in the opening frame helped set the tone for the match followed by a 15-5 second set deficit put the 'Swords down two sets.
Chaminade seemed to find its groove in the third with a 9-4 lead which opened the door for a convincing must-win set.
But the Silverswords could not sustain the momentum, leading just once (8-7) in the fourth. St. Cloud State used a 5-1 run late to capture the match and win the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
Less than 24 hours after getting just one ace against Cal Poly Pomona, the 'Swords managed to get six against St. Cloud State. Blocks were even at seven.
The Silverswords will look to bounce back later today with a matchup against preseason No. 1 and defending Division II national champion Cal State Los Angeles. The Golden Eagles have won the last four meetings and have ended Chaminade's last two seasons at the NCAA West Regionals.
