SEATTLE, Wash.--Bakersfield opened Western Athletic Conference volleyball play with a 3-1 victory over Seattle U Thursday night.

The Redhawks (3-13) began the night by hitting .526 while holding CSUB to -.115 hitting in set one to win 25-13. The Roadrunners got back on track, winning 25-20 in set two. With the score tied at 18 in set three, Bakersfield ended the game on a 7-3 run to win 25-22. The 'Runners held Seattle U to .000 hitting in set four and took the night with a 25-18 victory.

Debora Araujo (Sr., Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Western Nebraska CC) charted a match high 15 kills and added seven digs. Kelsee Sawyer (So., Temecula, Calif., Great Oak HS) had 10 kills. Fernanda Gonçalves (Sr., Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Western Nebraska CC) dished out a team high 31 assists and just missed out on her seventh double-double of the year as she posted nine digs. Mariah Alvidrez (R-Jr., Bakersfield, Calif, Liberty HS) led the 'Runners with 14 digs.

"Seattle came out ready to play, so I appreciate how our players responded after the first set and kept coming with serving and offensive pressure," said Bakersfield head coach Jolene Shepardson. "It was a good start to our offensive season."

Bakersfield continues on the road Saturday night when the Roadrunners head to the University of Idaho at 7 p.m.

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