SAN FRANCISCO - The CSUB volleyball team ended its school-record 17-match road trip in an unusual - for the Roadrunners - fashion. Unlike their typical pattern for 2009, they started red-hot then cooled off in a 19-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-14 loss to 2008 NCAA Tournament qualifier San Francisco.

The Roadrunners had 13 kills against just one error in the opening frame, hitting .364 in the win. But they combined for 14 errors over the next two sets. That inefficiency opened the door for San Francisco, even though the Dons hit just .181 themselves over that stretch.

CSUB (7-10 overall) led almost all of the first set, pulling away lat for the 25-19 win. The Roadrunners kept that pace up through the middle of the second set before USF took control. The Dons scored nine consecutive points to turn a 13-12 deficit into a 21-13 lead.

The Roadrunners were seeking their own comeback win in the pivotal third set. Trailing 16-11, they clawed their way back to within 21-20 before USF stopped the bleeding and held on for the win. The Dons jumped to a 5-1 lead to start the fourth set and CSUB never got closer than three points the rest of the way.

Individually, the Roadrunners restored some missing balance to their attack Saturday, with Tika Smith (Sweetwater, Texas/SHS) and Lindy DeGeare (Stockdale HS) leading the offense with eight kills apiece. Setter Barbie Unfried (Bakersfield HS) chipped in seven kills while freshman middle blocker Kelsey Mills (Houston/Langham Creek HS) added a career-high six blocks.

CSUB finally heads to the Icardo Center for its 2009 home opener Wednesday when it faces Big West Conference rival Cal State Northridge. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.