BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—Bakersfield clinched the third seed in next week's Western Athletic Conference Volleyball Tournament with a straight sets victory over Seattle U Saturday afternoon.

After going down 21-19, Bakersfield (13-14, 9-5 WAC) battled back to 23-22 where on the serve of senior Molly O'Hagan (Tonganoxie, Kan., Tonganoxie HS) the Roadrunners won the final three points to take a 25-23 set victory.

With the score tied for the fourth time in the second set (18-18), Bakersfield scored seven of the final 11 points of the frame to earn a 25-22 win and a 2-0 match advantage.  On Danika Youngblood's (Sr., Salt Lake, Utah, Western Nebraska CC) serve, CSUB jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the third set, never trailed, and won the match 25-21.

“We have been getting better, peaking at the right time, and we have a good chance in the conference tournament,” said Bakersfield head coach Giovana Melo. “All we have to do is play like we have been playing the last two games and we're going to battle for it.”

Kelsee Sawyer (Jr., Temecula, Calif., Great Oak HS) posted a match high 14 kills to pace the Roadrunners. Youngblood hit .357 as she tallied 13 kills (13-3-28). O'Hagan charted 12 kills. Luiza Martins (Jr., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Western Nebraska CC) dished out 44 assists. Mariah Alvidrez (R-Sr., Bakersfield, Calif., Liberty HS) earned at least 20 digs for the 13th time in 27 matches this season with 23.

Seattle U (12-15, 8-6 WAC) was led by Matea Mamic who had 11 kills. Kerry Lane recorded 30 assists, five digs, and two blocks.

“From this game, we will take away the building and the confidence that we have been gaining,” Melo said. “I think that it's important for them to understand, no matter who we play, if you play that way and play with passion, getting a little bit better each day, we can win it all. We have what it takes.”

The Roadrunners will serve as host for the WAC Tournament which runs from Nov. 20-22. As the No. 3 seed, Bakersfield takes on the sixth seed, Texas-Pan American, Thursday night at 5 p.m.  Thursday's second match will feature the fourth seed, Utah Valley facing the fifth seed, Seattle U at 7:30 p.m.

The winner of the CSUB-UTPA match faces the second seed, New Mexico State Friday at 5 p.m.  The winner of the UVU-SU match faces the No. 1 seed Missouri-Kansas City Friday night at 7:30 p.m. The championship match is set for Saturday at 5 p.m.

“Having home court advantage is very important. I hope people come and show their support and support us throughout the tournament,” Melo said.

Tickets for the WAC Tournament can be purchased online at vallitix.com.

~www.GoRunners.com~