Aug. 26, 2005
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. (www.TheSunDevils.com) -- Arizona State freshman outside hitter Margie Giordano recorded 17 kills and 13 digs in her second career collegiate match to lead the Sun Devils to a come-from-behind five-game win over Cal State Northridge Friday evening to complete the first day of the Fremont Investment & Loan Invitational. Game scores were 27-30, 27-30, 30-21, 30-26, 15-9 in favor of the Sun Devils.
The Sun Devils notched their first victory of the 2005 campaign after falling earlier in the day in straight sets to No. 23 Saint Mary's. ASU fell behind with identical 30-27 losses in the first two games, but battled back with a decisive 30-21 win in game three and then pushed the match to a decisive game five by winning 30-26 in game four. ASU controlled the last frame winning 15-9.
Giordano (Glendale, Ariz.) led three different Sun Devils who tallied double-digits in kills. The 2004 Arizona High School Player of the Year finished with career highs in kills (17), digs (11) and added two service aces and one block for a team-high 19.5 points.
Junior outside hitter Nicole Morton (Fallbrook, Calif.) completed a solid day on the court recording 16 kills and 19 digs for her ninth career double-double. Morton had 12 kills and 10 digs earlier in the day against SMC. Sophomore middle blocker Colette Meek (Sherwood Park, Alberta) came off the bench to contribute 11 kills on an efficient .435 hitting percentage (11-1-23) and added three blocks to finish with 12.5 points.
Senior setter Giovana Melo (Ribeirao Preto, Brazil) led ASU with 44 assists and sophomore libero Sydney Donahue (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) had 24 digs.
The Matadors were led by the 24 kills from freshman outside hitter Kelley Hanson and 17 kills from freshman middle blocker Darla Donaldson. Junior libero Jamie Crawford tallied a career-high 36 digs.
The Sun Devils complete their first tournament of the season Saturday with a 5 p.m. match against UNLV.
--Sun Devil Volleyball--