BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—In a battle of teams tied for second in the Western Athletic Conference volleyball race, New Mexico State defeated Bakersfield 3-1 Thursday night.

Bakersfield rallied from a 14-12 deficit in the first set to take a 21-19 lead. The Aggies adjusted, ripping off the final six points of the opening set to win 25-21. The teams played to eight ties in the opening set as both squads hit under .100. NM State's five team blocks (compared to two for CSUB) and four service aces proved to be the difference.

The Aggies, who entered the match leading the conference in opponent hitting percentage defense, forced a total of 10 Bakersfield hitting errors in the second set and would win 25-19.

Danika Youngblood (Sr., Salt Lake City, Utah, Western Nebraska CC) and Sydney Haynes (R-Fr., Vancouver, Wash., Evergreen HS) combined for eight of the 16 Roadrunner kills in the third set which allowed Bakersfield to take a 25-19 win and force set four.

““I didn't think we showed up (to play right away), said Bakersfield head coach Giovana Melo. “I think we finally decided to play and it was a little too late.”

NM State jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the fourth set before the 'Runners tied the match. The Aggies then outscored CSUB 4-1 for a three-point advantage. Bakersfield called timeout. New Mexico State pushed the lead to 16-11 as the Roadrunners called its second timeout. The Aggies led17-12 when CSUB got the ball back. With Haynes serving, the 'Runners scored five straight to tie the game at 17.

The Aggies called timeout during which time NM State coach Mike Jordan was issued a red card for throwing his clipboard to the floor. As a result, CSUB was awarded a point for an 18-17 lead. The Roadrunners would score two more in a row to go up 20-17 before a Haynes service error returned the ball to the Aggies. A Sara Little (Jr., Bakersfield, Calif., Bakersfield HS) kill and an Eryn Riley (Sr., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Los Osos HS) service ace put the 'Runners ahead 22-18. NM State bounced back with the next four points to the match at 22. The Aggies' third block in the 5-0 run returned the lead to NM State 23-22.

The match would end up in ties at 23, 24, 25, and 26 before Bradley Nash's kill put the Aggies up 27-26. An attack error from the 'Runners clinched the match for New Mexico State, 28-26.  

 “I was happy we came back and fought,” Melo said. “We have to come ready to play all the time, right away, when you first walk in the game. Obviously we're playing great teams and it's hard when you're trying to fight back after being down 2-0. We had to learn a lesson.”

New Mexico State (12-8) ended the night with a 15-4 advantage in blocks. Both teams served poorly, combining for 20 service errors. The Aggies would post nine aces, compared to four for Bakersfield. Nash led a balanced Aggies' attack with 10 kills. Sasha-Lee Thomas went for nine kills and a match high eight blocks.  

Haynes led all players with 14 kills. Youngblood tallied her 10th double-double of the year with 13 kills and 10 digs. She also added two blocks and two assists. Luiza Martins (Jr., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Western Nebraska CC) registered her seventh double-double of the year as she had 42 assists and 15 digs. Molly O'Hagan (Sr., Tonganoxie, Kan., Tonganoxie HS) earned double digit kills for the 10th consecutive match with 10.

NM State has a one-game lead in the loss column for second in the WAC. The top two teams get first round byes in the Nov. 20-22 WAC Tournament which will be hosted by Bakersfield. League leader Missouri-Kansas City (6-0) was off Thursday night and will play a pair of matches against Chicago State this weekend.

The Roadrunners (9-12, 5-3 WAC) return to the Icardo Center Saturday afternoon, when CSUB hosts Texas-Pan American at 1 p.m. Tickets are available at Vallitix.com.

~www.GoRunners.com~