FRESNO, Calif. - Early jitters against a seventh-ranked USC team whose roster averaged a more than five-inch height advantage derailed the CSUB volleyball team at the start, but the Roadrunners recovered and forced the heavily favored Trojans to come from behind twice to earn a 25-10, 25-20, 25-21 victory on day two of the Fresno State Tournament at the Save Mart Center.

The deck stacked even more against CSUB when freshman outside hitter Haleigh Haratyk (Corona/Centennial HS), coming off a 20-dig performance Friday night, was a prematch scratch due to injury. That forced the already depleted 'Runners to play a 5-1 offense for the first time this season.

USC raced to leads of 11-1 and 15-2 to open the match as the 'Runners played timid early. But after the media timeout, CSUB settled down and acquitted itself well against the highest-ranked opponent it has ever played in volleyball.

The Trojans out-scored CSUB just 10-8 to close the first set and the Roadrunner resurgence carried into the second set, where they jumped out to an 8-5 lead. The set stayed tight until USC scored four of the final five points to ease away.

The 'Runners forced USC to play from behind for most of the third set. CSUB led until late, when a 6-1 run gave the Trojans their first lead of the set at 17-15. Once again, the set remained in doubt until USC scored the final two points to end the upset bid.

Tika Smith (Sweetwater, Texas/Sweetwater HS) and Lindy DeGeare (Stockdale HS) led a balanced CSUB offense with six kills apiece. Junior middle blocker Alysia Baker (Vista/Tri-City Christian HS) assisted on all three 'Runner blocks.

Falyn Fonooimoana was the only player to reach double figures Saturday morning, finishing with 14 kills for USC.

CSUB concludes play at the Fresno State Tournament with a match against the host Bulldogs at 7 pm.