WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL RALLIES FOR FIVE-GAME VICTORY

SAN LUIS OBISPO-- Rallying from behind twice, the Allan Hancock College women's volleyball team defeated Cuesta, 3-2, in the 2005 Western State Conference North Division opener for both teams.

Hancock (7-4, 1-0 WSC North) had to rally after losing games one and three. In each of those games, the Bulldogs held late leads. Cuesta outscored AHC, 6-1 to close out game one for a 30-27 win. The Bulldogs made seven service errors to help the Cougars out. Moving to the south side of the court, Hancock rolled past the Cougars in game two, 30-13. Geraldine Misa'alefua (So., American Samoa) used her powerful jump serve to led the way. She would end the match with nine aces.

Back to the north end of the court for game three, the Bulldogs again lost a late lead to fall 30-28. Down 2-1, AHC once again asserted the power game to win game four, 30-17. Hancock had choice of side for the deciding fifth game a took the south end. The Bulldogs built an insurmountable 8-2 lead, then cruised to a 15-9 win to clinch it.

Misa'alefua led the team with 20 kills in a balanced attack. Alyssa Giorgi (So., Coastal Christian) added 18 kills, while also scoring 16 digs. Allison Patton (So., St. Joseph HS) contributed 10 kills. Patton also was strong at the net, adding five solo blocks. Brittni Fink (So., Arroyo Grande HS) led the way with 27 digs, with Cassie Young (So., Arroyo Grande) making 13. Setter Jessica Quant (So., Valley Christian) also had a strong night with an astounding 51 assists.

The Bulldogs continue division play on Friday, when they host Oxnard in a 7 p.m. start at the Joe White Memorial Gym.