RIVERSIDE, Calif. - The injury bug bit the CSUB volleyball team once again, this time in a novel way as Bakersfield College transfer Brookey Holmes missed a chance at her first NCAA start when she hurt her ankle in pregame warmups Saturday night at UC Riverside. With Holmes out and CSUB down to just eight healthy players, the Roadrunners put up a tough fight before falling to UCR 25-22, 25-22, 25-23 Saturday in the UCR Student Rec Center.

Holmes joined starters Lindy DeGeare (illness) and Lauren Holderman (shoulder) as well as reserve Hannah Fortin (ankle) in the CSUB M*A*S*H unit.

With Holmes out, junior middle blocker Alysia Baker was pressed into duty and recorded nine kills despite playing with a dislocated finger on her hitting hand. CSUB had no reserve attackers and the only reserve remaining outside of the regular rotation was freshman setter Emily Cote.

Saturday's shorthanded lineup played one of CSUB's most competitive matches since the injuries began to mount in early September. With the exception of one brief four-point UCR lead in the first set, neither team led by more than three points at any time during the match. CSUB trailed just 21-20 before the Highlanders eased away in the first set. The Roadrunners led 22-21 in the second before UCR scored the final four points to hold on in that one. CSUB led as late as 19-18 in the third before UCR scored three quick points to take the lead for good.

Freshman outside hitter Haleigh Haratyk led CSUB with 10 kills for the third double-digit effort of her career. She also matched her career high with three aces. Sophomore outside hitter Tika Smith had seven kills against just error for a team-best .353 attack percentage.

Senior libero Lindsay Toone added 17 digs, a personal record for a three-set match.

Kelly Simpson and Shelby LeDuff led the way for UCR with 11 and 10 kills respectively.

The Roadrunners won't have much time to get healthy as they return to Southern California to face another Big West Conference foe, Cal State Northridge, Oct. 6 in The Matadome. CSUB returns homes to host Fresno Pacific Oct. 12.