BAKERSFIELD, Calif. ? The CSUB volleyball team closed the home portion of its 2008 schedule, and inched closer to the first winning season for any sport in the NCAA Division I era of Roadrunner Athletics, with a 25-17, 25-10, 23-25, 25-23 win over UT-Pan American Saturday afternoon in the Icardo Center.
CSUB improved to 15-13 with the win. The Roadrunners need just two wins in their final five matches to insure a winning season. UTPA fell to 6-16 with the loss.
All four CSUB seniors, appearing in the Icardo Center for the final time Saturday, played integral roles. Libero Mystie McNaughton (Stockdale HS) posted a match-high 26 digs. Middle blocker Rosemary Stribling (West HS) added a match-high 13 kills, while outside hitters Sarah Norman (Stockdale HS) and Sarah Warner (Tehachapi HS) chipped in 10 and nine kills respectively.
Although the 'Runners didn't hit particularly well in the first two sets, hitting an aggregate .235, they led for all but one point in cruising to a two sets to none lead. But a sloppy third set, in which the teams combined for a negative hitting percentage past the midway point, slipped away from CSUB late. UTPA scored three consecutive points to break a 21-21 tie and then held on to force a fourth set.
Things got a bit dicey for the 'Runners as the Broncs took an early lead in the fourth and expanded it to as much as 18-13. But three Norman kills ignited a 7-2 spurt that tied the set at 20-20.
UTPA jumped ahead one final time at 22-20, but Warner notched her ninth kill before combining with Stribling on a block of Danielle Reed to put CSUB ahead 23-22, its first lead since early in the set.
A service error allowed UTPA to tie the set at 23-23. But, in a symbolic changing of the guard of senior day, freshman outside hitter Lindy DeGeare (Stockdale HS) put down consecutive kills to seal the match for CSUB.
The 'Runners will hit the road for their final five matches, beginning Tuesday at NAIA No. 1 ranked Fresno Pacific. They will close out the 2008 campaign with four matches at the NCAA Division I Independent Championships in Orem, Utah, Nov. 21-22.
