AUSTIN, Texas. ? For long stretches, the CSUB volleyball team has shown it is capable of playing with some of the nation's top volleyball programs in its NCAA Division I infancy this season. Within each game, however, one run has always been the key that has prevented the Roadunners from producing their first big upset.
Such was the case again Friday when Bakersfield went toe-to-toe with Pepperdine University in a 30?23, 30?28, 30?28 loss at the Time Warner Cable Invitational in Austin, Texas.
In game one, the run came with Bakersfield trailing just 16?15. Pepperdine used a 7?0 stretch to take a 23?15 lead en route to the win. In game two, the Waves broke a 20?20 tie with a 7?2 run. This time, the 'Runners fought back to tie the match at 28?28, but couldn't complete the comeback.
By game three, the 'Runners had found their footing, staying with Pepperdine to the wire. Once again, however, the Waves broke a 28?28 tie with two quick points to finish the match.
“It would be great to get one of these wins against teams that are going to be in the NCAA Tournament,” said CSUB Head Coach John Price. “But we're right there.
“Every game, there seems to be one or two plays that teams like Pepperdine make that we aren't making. That's the difference between losing 30?28 and winning 30?28. And that's the difference between a top 25 team and a first?year Division I program.”
Individually, senior Erica Baldwin collected three aces Friday to move within three of the CSUB career record for service aces with 193. Erikka Gulbranson set the record of 196 from 1991?94.
Sarah Norman led all attackers Friday with 14 kills. It was the seventh time in 10 matches this season the Norman led both teams in kills. Mystie McNaughton led the defense once again with a match?high 16 digs.
Julie Rubenstein led Pepperdine (5?3) by posting a 13?kill, 11?dig double?double.
CSUB will take the weekend off before traveling to Tucson next week for the University of Arizona Invitational. The 'Runners will face Arizona, Davidson College and UC Irvine at the tournament.
