BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—Danika Youngblood (Sr., Salt Lake City, Utah, Western Nebraska CC) registered her 11th double-double of the year to lead Bakersfield to a 3-0 sweep of Texas-Pan American in Western Athletic Conference volleyball play Saturday afternoon. Youngblood led all players with 15 kills and had 10 digs.

Leading 10-5 in the first, the 'Runners broke the set open with a 5-1 run that was keyed by three service aces from Eryn Riley (Sr., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Los Osos HS). The Roadrunners would take the frame 25-16. Bakersfield used a strong defense in the second set. The Roadrunners recorded 4.5 team blocks, holding the Broncs to .103 hitting on the way to a 25-20 victory.

“I thought we did a little bit better job serving and passing which we didn't as well (against New Mexico State),” said Bakersfield head coach Giovana Melo.

The teams played to eight ties early in the third set. UTPA took its first lead of the match at 9-8 and were up 12-10 when Bakersfield took a timeout. The Broncs pushed the lead to 14-12 before the 'Runners mounted a 6-1 spurt that returned the advantage to CSUB 18-15. Bakersfield extended the lead to 20-16 when Texas-Pan American called its second timeout of the set. The Roadrunners kept the momentum up as CSUB completed the sweep 25-21. Bakersfield would hold the Broncs to .172 hitting in the third set and .140 from the field (30-16-100) for the match.

“We played good defense in the first two sets,” Melo said. “We kind of fell asleep a bit in the third, but we were able to pull out a win.”

Bakersfield would hold an 8.5-5.0 team blocks advantage with Megan Johnson (R-Jr., Sandy, Utah, Western Nebraska CC) posting a season best five blocks to pace the 'Runners. In addition to her double-double, Youngblood added four blocks. CSUB setter Luiza Martins (Sr., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Western Nebraska CC) recorded 32 assists. The league leader in the category, Martins has had at least 30 assists in 21 of the 22 CSUB matches this season. Martins would also tally seven digs, two blocks, and two digs.

“I thought Luiza did a good job mixing it up and trying to balance the offense,” Melo said. “It's something we have been working on all day every day in practice. I think this was a game that was important for us to win. We came back from a good road trip, then a loss to New Mexico State in a game that was very important for us to guarantee a good position in our conference. It was a decent performance.”

UTPA was led by Haley Durham who charted nine kills and four blocks. Mary Kate Clark had 24 assists.

The Roadrunners begin a three-game road swing Thursday when the 'Runners are at WAC leader Missouri-Kansas City. The match is set for 7 p.m. (CDT). Bakersfield returns to the Icardo Center Nov. 13 when CSUB hosts Utah Valley for a 7 p.m. start. Tickets are available at Vallitix.com.

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