DENVER, Colo. – The No. 22 Cal State San Marcos volleyball team (25-10) registered sweeps over Walla Walla University and Rochester College in pool play of the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) Tournament Friday to advance to the semifinals.   
 
The Cougars improved to 25-10 with the pair of victories. Walla Walla concluded its season at 7-17. Rochester moves to 26-20 and also advances to tomorrow's semifinal after winning a five-set match over Walla Walla Friday morning.
 
"I am really happy with our performance so far," said head coach Andrea Leonard. "We are playing balanced and aggressively. Players are contributing in every area of the game, which allows us to be more efficient and execute. 
 
"It is great to see the players execute their positions with high success as we gain momentum at championship time."
 
CSUSM will face fourth-seed and host Johnson & Wales at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15. The winner of that match will advance to the A.I.I. Tournament championship scheduled for 6 p.m. and face the winner of the other semifinal game of Ashford and Rochester. 
 
Junior Jordan Banich and freshman Kristin Parker each recorded 10 kills in the 3-0 victory (25-13, 25-15, 25-16) over Rochester in the late game. The Cougars hit .254 while holding the Warriors to a -.017 attack percentage.
 
CSUSM opened the tournament with scores of 25-18, 25-21 and 25-11 against Walla Walla. Senior Alyssa Hubbard led the offense with 10 kills. The middles were big contributors with Parker going 5-for-9 with no errors (.556) and senior Erin Talafus tallying seven blocks including two solos.