Box Score Box Score

After a tremendous regular season that exceeded nearly all expectations, the CSUSM women's volleyball team's 2011 season has officially drawn to a close Saturday with a 3-1 loss to #18 Point Loma. The Cougars took the first set before eventually falling 25-23, 14-25, 16-25, 18-25.
 
The first year program shined at times this year, exciting the Cougar fan base and community by knocking off four top-25 opponents, including then-#1 Fresno Pacific, and winning the A.I.I. Conference Tournament.  Despite the loss Saturday, Coach Andrea Leonard's squad also leaves a tantalizing optimism for the future as the young team featured just 5 juniors and zero seniors.
 
The Cougars, ranked #24 in the NAIA, came out strong in the first set against the host Sea Lions, taking a 17-13 lead in the first set, before dropping 10 of the next 13 points to trail 20-23. Staying calm, the Cougars battled back resiliently to win the set, taking the last 5 points and clinching the set on a Lindsey Sappington kill.
 
Point Loma would take control after that however, as the Cougars struggled with the size of the Sea Lions up front. Point Loma had 12 blocks on the match to the Cougars 1, and the Cougars attacking percentage over the last 3 sets was just 0.025.
 
Lindsey Sappington led the Cougars in kills with 14, and libero Nichole May had an impressive 22 digs. CSUSM ends the season with a 29-8 record.