FRESNO, Calif. - In a back-and-forth battle from start to finish, the CSU Bakersfield Volleyball team was edged by Fresno State 3-1 (22-25, 25-21, 25-23, 27-25) on Thursday night.

The 'Runners won the first set with strong play from Haleigh Haratyk (So., Corona, Calif., Centennial HS), who had six kills in the frame, and Chelcy Motes (So., Thatcher, Ariz., Thatcher HS), who put up three kills and three assisted blocks, to help CSUB take an early lead.

Despite dropping the next two sets by a total of six points, the Roadrunners didn't go down without a fight as they rallied from a 14-10 deficit to take a 24-20 lead in the fourth set. Then Fresno State (5-7) mounted a comeback of its own, and despite CSUB's valiant pushback, held on to win 27-25.

Haratyk continued to lead CSUB's attack in dominating fashion, finishing with a match-high 24 kills. She also added 10 digs and one service ace. Senior setter Danielle Gong (Bakersfield, Calif., Stockdale HS) also recorded a double-double with 30 assists and 10 digs.

Lauren Holderman (R-So., Bakersfield, Calif., Bakersfield HS) and Saelina Dunn (Fr., Long Beach, Calif., Wilson HS) were both sharp on defense, posting 14 and 13 digs, respectively. Motes finished with a team-high six assisted blocks and added four kills. Brittney Hopley (Jr., Thornhill, Ontario, Wilfred Lauer Univ.) dropped in four service aces to help the Roadrunners finish with seven aces as a team in the match.

Thursday's match marked the first of two meetings this season between the Bulldogs and Roadrunners. Fresno State will visit Bakersfield to take on the 'Runners on Oct. 19 in the Icardo Center at 6 p.m. in CSUB's first home match of the season.

Up next for the Roadrunners (3-11) will be another trip to the East Coast to play four matches in the Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawk Invitational Sept. 30 through Oct. 1.

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