OREM, Utah ? The CSUB volleyball team nearly ended its eight?match road trip with a remarkable comeback victory, but Utah Valley University bounced back to hold on for a 25?22, 25?19, 23?25, 23?25, 15?9 win Saturday afternoon at the Shurian Activity Center.
Senior outside hitter Sarah Norman (Stockdale HS) led four Roadrunners in double figures with 16 kills. Sarah Warner (Tehachapi HS) had 12 kills and four blocks while Mystie McNaughton (Stockdale HS) chipped in 30 digs.
But those efforts weren't enough to offset a pair of 20?kill performances by UVU players. Kristin Anderson put down 23 kills and eight blocks for the Wolverines while Kayli Broadbent added 20 kills.
After blowing out the Wolverines in the final two sets of Friday's win, CSUB (10-9 overall) didn't match UVU's (4-8) intensity in the opening two sets Saturday. In fact, the Wolverines appeared well on their way to a sweep until the 'Runners found their footing in the nick of time.
CSUB trailed 20?14 and 23?19 before Warner breathed life into the 'Runners. After a Broadbent error, Warner teamed with Alysia Baker (Vista/Tri-City Christian HS) to stuff Broadbent on her next swing.
Warner put down her fourth kill of the set to even the score at 23?23. A Barbie Thistle (Bakersfield HS) ace gave the 'Runners set point before another Warner kill earned CSUB the set.
The 'Runners never trailed in the fourth set, but UVU pulled to within one point three times down the stretch. Once again, Warner came to the rescue with a pair of late kills, including a big swing on set point to even the match at two sets apiece.
Midnight struck early on the CSUB comeback attempt, however, as the Wolverines scored the first five points of the decisive fifth set. The 'Runners closed the gap to 11?8, but a pair of Broadbent kills and a Dani Robison ace closed out the upset for UVU.
CSUB finished its eight?match road trip with a 5?3 record. The 'Runners will take 10 days off before returning to the friendly confines of the Icardo Center to host Bucknell University Oct. 13.
