September 20, 2006
BOX SCORE
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The No. 15 ranked Cal State L.A. volleyball team overcame a slow start to sweep past Cal State Bakersfield 30-24, 30-19, 30-27 Wednesday night at the Icardo Center in Bakersfield.
Sophomore outside hitter Sarah Warner (Tehachapi HS), the CCAA's leading attacker, increased her conference leading average of 4.2 kills per game with a team-high 14 for the Roadrunners. Freshman libero Kayla Williamson (Stockdale HS) added a match-high 21 digs.
But Cal State L.A. (9-2, 5-1 CCAA) senior Tanya White led three Golden Eagles in double figures with 16 kills. Brazilian star Luana Cavalcanit added 13 kills and while junior middle blocker Airess Padda chipped in 11.
Despite the sweep, CSUB Head Coach John Price was pleased with the effort of his young team against the senior dominated lineup of Cal State L.A.
“I thought we battled very well against a team that is as talented as any in our region. We're so young,” said Price of his Roadrunner squad that features no seniors and starts four freshmen, “that we made some of the mistakes that young teams make. But there are a lot of positives to take our of our effort tonight.”
The Roadrunners came out fast, leading as late as 16-15 in game one before Cal State L.A. took control. With the game tied at 17-17, a White kill sparked a 7-1 run that gave the Golden Eagles control at 23-18.
Cal State L.A. cruised to the game two win and seemed poised to put the match quickly on ice when they raced to a 15-9 lead to open the third game. But five different Roadrunners put down kills as part of an 8-2 run that leveled the game at 17-17.
Bakersfield stayed close down the stretch until Cavalcanti's 13th kill of the night broke a 27-27 tie and the Golden Eagles held on for the win.
“I thought Bakersfield played very well,” said Cal State L.A. Head Coach Bill Lawler. “They did a lot of good things tonight.
“We came out a bit flat but we picked it up late in game one and in game two. If we hadn't, we might still be playing,” he said.
Bakersfield (2-4, 2-4) returns to action Friday night when it hosts No. 14 Chico State in the Icardo Center at 7 p.m. Cal State L.A. returns home to host Cal State Stanislaus Friday night.
California State University, Bakersfield Athletic Department
9001 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, CA 93311-1022
Phone: (661) 654-3071 • FAX: (661) 654-2376
