WICHITA, Kan. ? After playing with fire the first two games, the CSUB volleyball team caught fire in game three, blowing out Idaho State to complete a 27?25, 26?24, 25?8 sweep of the Bengals in match three of the Best Western Shocker Classic at Wichita State University Thursday.
The Roadrunners got tremendous offensive play from middle blockers Rosemary Stribling (West HS) and freshman Alysia Baker (Vista/Tri-City Christian HS), who combined to hit .341 for the match with 20 kills. Senior outside hitter Sarah Warner (Tehachapi HS) played arguably her best match at the NCAA Division I level, collecting nine kills against just one error for a .333 attack percentage.
CSUB (1?3 overall) trailed 20?16 in game one and 23?22 in game two before coming back for the win each time. The Roadrunners raced to a 9?2 lead to open the third game and put the pedal down to win going away.
But the 'Runners nearly dug themselves a two games to none hole. They lost an early lead in the first game and trailed by four late until four different 'Runners recorded kills in a 7?2 point run. That stretch turned a 20?16 deficit into a 23?22 lead that eventually led the way to victory.
CSUB blew open a close second game with a 12?4 run that turned a 9?8 lead into a seemingly secure 21?12 advantage. But the 'Runners made seven errors?not including letting a free ball drop for a kill?as Idaho State scored 12 of the next 13 points to improbably pull ahead 23?22.
But the Bengals proved even more generous than the Roadrunners. An Emily Waldron service error allowed Bakersfield to tie the match. ISU then made three attack errors to end the next four rallies as the 'Runners escaped with the 26?24 win.
Senior outside hitter Sarah Norman (Stockdale HS), who had been quiet the first two games, came alive in game three. She collected six kills in 11 swings in the game to help CSUB jump to a big early lead. Senior libero Mystie McNaughton (Stockdale HS) added 10 of her match?high 21 digs in the game to help the 'Runners complete the sweep.
CSUB continues play at the Best Western Shocker Classic with a single match against Lamar University Friday afternoon. The 'Runners will close tournament play Saturday when they take on Ohio State and Coastal Carolina.
