HOUSTON - The CSUB Volleyball team ran its win streak to a season-best three matches by winning its opening two contests at the Houston Baptist University Husky Classic Friday afternoon in HBU's Sharp Gym.

CSUB (6-4 overall) opened the day with a 25-18, 25-16, 25-15 win over host HBU. The Roadrunners then rebounded from a slow start to upend Texas A&M Corpus Christi 22-25, 25-17, 25-15, 25-23.

"We knew coming in that this would be a long, tough trip and a great test of where our young team stands early in the season," said Head Coach John Price. "Not only are they learning and growing through the process, but they're being rewarded with some well-earned victories."

Freshman outside hitter Tika Smith (Sweetwater HS), playing collegiately in her home state of Texas for the first time this week, is making the most of her visit to Houston. She collected a season-high 11 kills and hit a season-best .409 in the win over Houston Baptist. She chipped in nine more kills versus Texas A&M CC.

Libero Kayla Williamson (Stockdale HS) continued the torrid statistical start to her senior season. Her 32 digs in the win over the Islanders tied Mystie McNaughton's CSUB record for a four-set match. She added a match-high 18 digs against HBU.

The Roadrunners were in complete control against Houston Baptist in their early match. The Huskies never led after CSUB got its sixth point in all three sets. Smith and Alysia Baker (Vista/Tri-City Christian HS) led the offense with 11 kills apiece. Sophomore outside hitter Lindy DeGeare (Stockdale HS) added eight kills and three aces.

TAMCC made the Roadrunners work for their second win of the day. The 'Runners led 17-12 in the first set before the Islanders came back to stun them 25-22. CSUB pulled away midway through each of the next two sets to win easily.

But the 'Runners found themselves starring a fifth set in the face trailing 18-16 in the fourth when a DeGeare kill and ace provided the bookends of a 5-0 run that put them in the lead for good.

"One of the things I am most pleased about is that we are competing well," said Price. "Espcially in situations where young teams often wilt under the pressure, these girls are finding ways to win."

DeGeare led CSUB with 14 kills while adding three more aces in the nightcap. Baker added 13 kills. Senior setter Barbie Unfried (Bakersfield HS) had 10 kills and 45 assists.

CSUB will close play at the Husky Classic with matches against Ivy league foe Pennsylvania and 2008 NCAA Tournament qualifier Lamar University Saturday. A win over the Quakers would be CSUB's fourth in a row and a record for the team at the NCAA Division I level.