DAVIS, Calif. ? The CSUB volleyball team won twice Saturday, including a sweep of Fordham University to capture the title of the 2008 Aggie Invitational at the ARC Pavilion on the campus of UC Davis.
CSUB (8-6 overall) came from behind to beat Sacramento State 25-15, 21-25, 25-27, 25-16, 15-8 Saturday morning before sweeping the Rams 25-21, 25-21, 25-17 Saturday evening.
Tournament MVP Sarah Norman (Stockdale HS) led the way with 37 kills on the day. She had 18 in the win over Sac State then came back with 19 in the sweep of Fordham. She was at her best with the match on the line versus Fordham, totaling an amazing 16 kills while helping the 'Runners pull out two tight sets to open the match.
The 'Runners also got all?tournament efforts from seniors Rosemary Stribling (West HS), who had 23 kills Saturday, and Sarah Warner (Tehachapi HS) who added 15. For Stribling, it marked the fourth consecutive tournament in which she was named to the all?tournament team. Warner earned all?tourney honors for the first time in her career.
“I was very pleased with our effort all weekend,” said CSUB Head Coach John Price. “We did a lot of things well. And those few times we didn't, we battled and found a way to get it done.
“We've come a long way from the beginning of the season. Last season was about learning to play at the NCAA Division I level. This season, the team is learning how to win as a Division I school. We have some tough opponents ahead, but if we continue to compete as we have been, we're going to win some matches.”
In Saturday's first match, the 'Runners started fast, broke down, then rallied to beat Sacramento State in the first meeting between the former Division II national champions since 1992. It was CSUB's fourth consecutive win over the Hornets.
Norman led the way for the 'Runners with 18 kills and no errors in 40 swings. They never trailed in the three sets they won. The match almost turned on a surprisingly solid passing performance by Sac State, which rallied after a shaky start to handle CSUB's normally strong service game.
The 'Runners regained their footing late in game three, and had two chances to serve for the set, but a service error and a bad set gave the Hornets new life and they came back to take a two sets to one lead.
Bakersfield jumped to a quick 7?3 lead to open the fourth set and slowly expanded its advantage en route to the nine?point win. The big play in the decisive fifth set came early. Holding a 3?2 lead, setter Barbie Thistle (Bakersfield HS) stuffed outside hitter Brittany Ferguson one-on-one, allowing CSUB to gain separation and pull away to seal the match.
The 'Runners will continue their eight?match road trip Friday when they head to Los Angeles to face Loyola Marymount at 7:00 p.m.
