GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Five Roadrunners newcomers got their baptisms of fire Friday afternoon against a Drake University team fresh off a 22-win season in 2009. After slow starts doomed CSUB in the first two sets, the young 'Runners found their footing, but they couldn't gain enough traction to prevent Drake from taking a 25-13, 25-13, 25-22 win in match three of the North Dakota Classic.

Junior outside hitter Lindy DeGeare (Stockdale HS) put down a match-high 11 kills for CSUB while sophomore Lauren Holderman (Bakersfield HS), making her first collegiate start at libero, added a match-high 14 digs. But the Bulldogs hit .409 for the match to subdue the 'Runners.

Drake raced to leads of 8-1 and 18-4 to run away with the first set. After falling behind 6-1 to open the second set, the 'Runners fought back to within 11-9 before the Bulldogs pulled away again for their second 25-13 win.

By the third set, CSUB had found its way and grabbed an early 10-6 lead before Drake finally clawed its way back to a 15-15 tie. The teams traded punches until a pair of 'Runner errors broke a 21-21 tie. Drake then sided out twice for the win.