LAS VEGAS, Nev. - With newcomers stepping up and making an
immediate impact, the CSUB volleyball team came out fighting in its first match of
the 2012 season, but fell to the host Rebels 3-0 (25-22, 32-30, 25-19) at the UNLV
Invitational on Friday night.
In her first game with CSUB, outside hitter Debora Araujo
(Jr., Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Western Nebraska C.C.) led the Roadrunners with
12 kills and added nine digs while freshman outside hitter Kelsee Sawyer (Temecula,
Calif., Great Oak HS) made the most of her collegiate debut with 11 kills.
Despite the loss, the 'Runners showed a lot of heart and
proved they have the ability to battle. In the second set, when
they were trailing 18-13, the Roadrunners went on a 4-0 run to get back into the game and
then the two teams traded points to extend the set. CSUB had game point
three times, but couldn't put it away, which gave the Rebels a chance to
finally seal the win, 32-30.
"We were successful running a well-distributed offense and we held our own with our floor defense, but we had too many errors on the service line," said CSUB head coach Jolene Shepardson. "I believe we will get that under control for our match against Northern Arizona on Saturday."
Fernanda Gonçalves (Jr., Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Western
Nebraska C.C.) also had an impressive debut for the 'Runners as the junior
setter posted 41 assists, nine digs and two aces. Libero Mariah Alvidrez (R-Jr.,
Bakersfield, Calif., Liberty HS), in her first volleyball game in two years
after playing soccer for Fresno Pacific for the last two seasons, demonstrated
she has had no trouble making the position as she posted 16 digs.
Outside hitter Shayna Guitare (Jr., Torrance, Calif., Pierce College), also playing in her first match for CSUB, and returning outside hitter Molly O'Hagan (Tonganoxie, Kansas, Tonganoxie HS) each added nine kills.
The 'Runners will be back in action at the UNLV Invitational
with two more matches on Saturday. CSUB will first take on Northern Arizona at
10 a.m. and then conclude the tournament with a showdown against the Citadel at
5 p.m.
~www.GoRunners.com~
