BAKERSFIELD, Calif. ? The CSUB volleyball team gave a rude welcome to NCAA Division I play Thursday afternoon, storming back to defeat Stony Brook (NY) University 25?30, 30?21, 30?27, 30?25 in the first Division I match in Bakersfield Thursday afternoon at the Icardo Center.

Stony Brook can blame junior outside hitter Sarah Norman (Stockdale HS/UC Irvine) for much of that reception. Norman collected a match and career?high 29 kills, a mark which ranks No. 3 all?time on the CSUB list for a four?game match. Norman also hit a sizzling .462 and collected 11 digs for her second consecutive double?double.

Junior setter Gabe Curtis (Arvada, Colo./Metro State) had a lot to do with Norman's success, dishing out 60 assists, the ninth?best four?game performance in Roadrunner history.

Senior outside hitter Morgan Sweany led SBU with 19 kills. Fellow senior Jackie Ahlers chipped in 16 kills against just one error with four blocks for the Seawolves.
Things didn't look promising for Bakersfield fans early as SBU came out strong. The Seawolves jumped out to an 8?2 lead, held off a CSUB comeback that eventually gave the 'Runners are 23?22 lead, than scored the final five points to win game one.

But game two saw the tide turn in favor of CSUB. Junior middle blocker Rosemary Stribling (West HS) knocked down four kills in an opening 11?3 run that put Bakersfield firmly in control.

In game three, a Norman kill broke a 26?26 tie and a Stribling kill gave the 'Runners a two games to one lead, 30?27. CSUB took the lead in game four at 9?8, but the Seawolves never let the 'Runners more than four points clear until Norman's match?winning kill gave the 'Runners a 30?25 win.

Bakersfield (2?2 overall) will continue its busy Labor Day weekend Friday night when it hosts Idaho State at 7 p.m. The 'Runners will close a four?match homestand against Saint Mary's College Saturday and UC Davis Sunday.

Stony Brook (2?2) continues its California road trip against Portland State at the Cal State Fullerton Tournament Friday afternoon.