BAKERSFIELD, Calif. ? The University of Arizona combined solid passing with outstanding setting from tournament MVP Paige Weber to sweep host CSUB in the championship match of the Roadrunner Invitational Saturday night at the Icardo Center in Bakersfield. The Wildcats won by scores of 25?17, 25?9, 25?20.
CSUB (5?6 overall) is at its best when it utilizes an aggressive service game to get opponents out of system. But the Roadrunners missed five serves early in the first set, and those misses contributed to the team serving much more conservatively than normal for the balance of the match.
Arizona (8?1), took full advantage, passing so well that Weber had her full arsenal from which to run her offense. With the Wildcats' substantial size advantage ? their front line averaged nearly six inches taller than CSUB's ? they attacked with impunity, making just eight errors in 85 swings while hitting .424 for the match.
Freshman outside hitter Lindy DeGeare (Stockdale HS) was CSUB's top attacker, leading the team with 10 kills. Freshman middle blocker Alysia Baker (Vista/Tri-City Christian HS) hit .308 for the 'Runners.
Senior Brooke Buringrud led all attackers with 14 kills for Arizona. All?Tournament selection Whitney Dosty added 11 kills and five blocks for the Wildcats.
In other tournament action Saturday, Fresno State gave Arizona some trouble before the Wildcats rebounded to win 25?17, 28?30, 25?17, 25?14. Dosty led Arizona with 12 kills while Buringrud chipped in 10. Baylee Platt and Brianna Clarke led all attackers with 14 and 13 kills respectively for the Bulldogs.
Fresno State bounced back to sweep Chicago State in the early evening match, 25?14, 25?8, 25?16. Clarke led the Bulldog offense with 12 kills while Platt added a match?high 16 digs.
ALL?TOURNAMENT TEAM: Barbie Thistle (CSUB), Rosemary Stribling (CSUB), Hanya Minta (Chicago State), Allanah Munson (Fresno State), Whitney Dosty (Arizona), Jacy Norton (Arizona). MVP: Paige Weber (Arizona)