Nov. 14, 2003
Box Score
Los Angeles, Calif. - No. 17 Loyola Marymount (23-5, 8-3 WCC) defeated Gonzaga (3-25, 0-12 WCC) Friday evening in three short games to equal the Lions' program-best home record of 13-1 set in 1996 in Gersten Pavilion. Senior Kealani Kimball led LMU with 14 kills, 12 digs, and four blocks.
The Lions went on a 4-0 run during game one, which featured a Kimball kill, a block by Tiana Newsome and Krista Houseman, and a Newsome kill to give LMU the 20-10 lead. Kimball posted eight kills in the first game alone, as the Lions hit .429 as a team. LMU wrapped up game one at 30-18 on a kill by Houseman, who saw her first career start this evening. The Lions held Gonzaga to a .027 hitting percentage, while out-blocking the Zags 4.0 - 1.0.
LMU's intensity carried into game two, as the Lions earned a 13-5 advantage after scoring seven unanswered points. During that run, junior Kelli Nerison posted three of her ten kills. Out-hitting the Zags once again, LMU reached game point on a kill by Kimball. Setter Nicole Oehlman threw down a kill of her own for the 30-14 game two victory.
Getting their best game start and longest run of the match, the Lions posted eight straight points to start game three. Finishing the match in the same fashion, the Lions used two Kimball kills and a block by Kimball and Nerison to win the final five points and game three 30-11. Nerison finished the match hitting .769, a career-high for the middle blocker who already ranks 19th in the nation in hitting percentage. Oehlman recorded 38 assists and nine digs in the one hour and 19 minute match, leading her squad to a .367 hitting percentage.
The victory secured the Lions 22nd consecutive victory over the Bulldogs and gave LMU its best win mark since going 26-3 in the 1996 season. The Lions home record of 13-1 equals the program-best also set in 1996 in Gersten Pavilion.
Portland visits Gersten Pavilion Saturday evening to close out LMU's regular season home schedule. The Lions will honor their four seniors prior to the start of the match, which will be broadcast live by the Lions Audio Network on www.lmulions.com.
-GO LIONS-
