STOCKTON, Calif. - Youth reared its sometimes ugly head for the CSUB Volleyball team Thursday night, as the young Roadrunners started well in all three sets but couldn't finish against a substantially more experienced University of the Pacific side in a 25-16, 25-21, 25-20 UOP win at the Spanos Center.

UOP, knocking on the door of a top 25 ranking, improved to 8-1, while CSUB fell to 7-6 in the final match of the opening day of the Stockton Hilton Invitational.

Sophomore outside hitter Lindy DeGeare (Stockdale HS) continued her strong run of recent play, leading the Roadrunners with 11 kills and a .333 attack percentage. Alysia Baker (Vista/Tri-City Christian HS) and Lindsay Toone (Liberty HS) chipped in six kills apiece as the trio combined for 23 of the 27 Roadrunner kills.

Bakersfield native Mallori Gibson led all attackers with 13 kills for UOP.

CSUB held leads well into all three sets Thursday. The Roadrunners led 13-10 before UOP went on a 12-1 run to take control in the first set. They led 18-17 in the second set before UOP scored five of the next six points to pull away for another win.

The most frustrating loss came in the third set. The Roadrunner led most of the way and held a 19-16 advantage before the Tigers tallied nine of the final 10 points to secure the win.

"UOP is a very good team and we knew this was going to be a tough match," said CSUB Head Coach John Price. "Young teams have to learn to finish close games, and we've done a good job of that for the most part this season, but that is a difficult task against an opponent of this caliber."

CSUB will face another tough opponent when it takes on West Coast Conference hopeful Loyola Marymount Friday at 5 p.m. The Roadrunners close play at the Stockton Hilton Invitational Saturday evening against Nevada.