Bakersfield, Calif. ? The CSUB volleyball team set up a Saturday championship showdown with national power Arizona by sweeping Chicago State and Fresno State on day one of the 2008 Roadrunner Volleyball Invitational Friday at the Icardo Center in Bakersfield.
(CSUB (5?5 overall) took Chicago State 25?14, 25?15, 25?12 in the opener before avenging a five?set loss to Fresno State on Aug. 29 with a 25?15, 25?14, 29?27 win in the nightcap.
"We played well in all facets of the game, and I believe that was reflected in the final score," said CSUB Head Coach John Price. "I think this was a continuation of the way we played last week in Kansas.
"The opportunity to play teams the caliber of Ohio State and Kansas State helped us grow as a team. Fresno State is a much?improved team this season and to win like we did tonight -- especially after losing to them in five to open the season -- speaks volumes about the direction we are headed."
The Roadrunners hit .371 in their win over Fresno State, siding out on a solid 75 percent of their serve?receive opportunities. They did it with a total team effort. Only one 'Runner made more than one error versus the Bulldogs, and no player hit less than .235.
Defensively, senior libero Mystie McNaughton (Stockdale HS) continued her march to the CSUB career digs record with a match?high 17. Freshman outside hitter Lindy DeGeare (Stockdale HS) added 16 digs of her own.
The first two sets of the match were all CSUB. The 'Runner never trailed in either set as they rolled to double?digit wins. But Fresno State seemed poised for a rally when it used a quick 5?1 run to open a 19?15 lead late in set three.
Kills by DeGeare Sarah Norman (Stockdale HS) and Rosemary Stribling (West HS) helped the 'Runners pull ahead at 21?20. But they still had to fight off four set?point chances by the Bulldogs before consecutive kills by Stribling broke a 27?27 tie and sealed the CSUB win.
The 'Runners had no such trouble taking the opener from Chicago State. They opened big early leads in all three sets with the help of a diverse attack that saw nine different players record a kill in the match.
Senior outside hitter Sarah Warner (Tehachapi HS) led the way, recording six kills in seven swings. Freshmen setters Danielle Gong (Stockdale HS) and Taylor Kasha (Valencia HS) made their collegiate setting debuts, combining for 14 assists in relief of starter Barbie Thistle.
McNaughton, meanwhile, added 17 more digs to lead the offense.
CSUB will conclude play at the Roadrunner Invitational against nationally?ranked Arizona Saturday at 7 p.m., with the winner claiming the team championship. Tournament play begins Saturday with Arizona playing Fresno State at noon and Fresno State meeting Chicago State at 4:30 p.m.
In other action Friday, Arizona began its first regular season trip to Bakersfield by dispatching Chicago State 25?5, 25?12, 25?16. Fourteen Wildcat players saw action in the match. Sophomore middle blocker Stephanie Snow led a balanced effort with nine kills while hitting .533.
