BAKERSFIELD, Calif. ? It could have been the signature win for the fledgling NCAA Division I volleyball program at CSUB. It turned out to be a match for the ages that proved Bakersfield belongs at the elite level of college volleyball.
In the end, a Saint Mary's College squad that defeated Pac?10 power Arizona in Tucson last week held off a spirited Roadrunner comeback attempt to win a match for the ages, 30?24, 30?22, 23?30, 22?30, 15?13 Saturday night at the Icardo Center in Bakersfield.
Junior outside hitter Sarah Norman (Stockdale HS) carried the day once again for CSUB (3?3 overall), establishing a career high with 30 kills to lead Bakersfield's upset bid. Senior defensive specialist Erica Baldwin (Poway HS) added a match?high four aces to pull to within seven of the CSUB career record of 193.
Megan York led a balanced Saint Mary's (4?0) effort with a 19?kill, 19?dig double?double. Taylor Groess added 17 kills and Shannon Lowell chipped in a match?high seven blocks for the Gaels.
Norman saved her best for when the 'Runners need her most. She had eight kills in game three alone to help CSUB stay in the match then added six in the abbreviated, deciding fifth game to keep 'Runner hopes alive until the end.
The experience of Saint Mary's proved to be the difference in the first two games. The Gaels raced to an early lead in game one as CSUB seemed uncertain of its ability to play with its more established adversary. Trailing 21?12, the 'Runners found their footing and clawed their way back to within one point at 22?21 before the Gaels pulled away for the win.
CSUB continued its improved play in game two, staying close until late. But with the scored tied at 20?20, A Taylor Groess kill and three consecutive 'Runner hitting errors sparked a 5?0 run that gave the Gaels a seemingly insurmountable 2?0 lead in games.
Game three was all Bakersfield. A pair of Baldwin aces sparked a 4?1 spurt to open the game and CSUB never trailed. The 'Runners led by as many as nine points at 26?17 before settling on the 30?23 win.
Game four was as tight as the final match score. But a Kapua Kamana'o service error at 22?22 opened the door for CSUB and the 'Runners burst through, scoring the final eight points to win 30?22 and force the deciding game.
Both teams held two?point leads during game five. Saint Mary's finally pulled ahead to stay when a Megan Burton kill and a lift call against CSUB gave the Gaels a 9?7 lead. The teams traded points for the duration but the 'Runners couldn't find the equalizer before a Groess kill on match point gave Saint Mary's the 15?13 win and the match.
CSUB concludes its busy Labor Day weekend with a 3 p.m. match against former CCAA rival UC Davis in the Icardo Center. Davis defeated Idaho State 3?1 earlier Saturday at CSUB.
Saint Mary's will travel up the 99 Freeway to face Fresno State Sunday in Fresno.
