OREM, Utah ? The CSUB volleyball team stepped into the pages of Roadrunner history Friday, winning twice to become the first CSUB team in the NCAA Division I era of Roadrunner Athletics to post a winning record.
CSUB improved to 17-14 with sweeps of UT-Pan American and New Jersey Tech at the opening day of the NCAA Division I Independent Championships. The Roadrunners will conclude play with two matches Saturday, hoping to capture a tournament title but already secure in their place in the record books.
“It was something we had our eye on as the season progressed,” said Head Coach John Price. “But the most satisfying part is how well the team is playing to close out the season.
“We served great, we passed great, we attacked great and we played good defense. And we did it for all six games today which should give us some momentum as we face Providence and a very good Utah Valley team with a chance to bring back the Division I Independent title.”
CSUB was barely challenged in its two victories Friday. CSUB swept UTPA 25-18, 25-16, 25-16 while hitting .429 for the match. That mark is a record for the Roadrunners against an NCAA Division I opponent. They were nearly as efficient against NJIT, hitting .380 while rolling to a 25-15, 25-10, 25-16 win.
Against UTPA (6-17), Rosemary Stribling (West HS) collected a match-high 12 kills while hitting .526. Freshman middle blocker Alysia Baker (Vista/Tri-City Christian HS) hit .500 while Sarah Norman (Stockdale HS) added 11 kills.
Norman dominated the stat sheet against NJIT (18-14), hitting .500 while putting down 20 of CSUB's 46 kills in the match. Freshman outside hitter Lindy DeGeare (Stockdale HS) added four of CSUB's eight aces.
Senior libero Mystie McNaughton (Stockdale HS) actually was hurt by CSUB's commanding effort. She inched closer to the CSUB single season digs record, totaling 31 Friday afternoon, but left her 15 digs short of Camille Mitchell's record of 637 due to the quick nature of Friday's wins.
CSUB will conclude play at the NCAA Division I Independent Championships Saturday when it takes on Providence College and host Utah Valley.
