HUNTSVILLE, Texas—Bakersfield took a straight sets victory over Mississippi State Friday afternoon in the season opener for both teams at the Sam Houston State Invitational.

The Roadrunners took the opening set 25-15 and followed up with a 25-17 second two victory.  CSUB closed things out with a 25-15 win over the Bulldogs.  Redshirt freshman Sydney Haynes (Vancouver, Wash., Evergreen HS) made her indoor debut by hitting .467 and recording 18 kills (18-4-30). Kelsee Sawyer (Jr., Temecula, Calif., Great Oak HS) posted 12 kills and seven digs.

Molly O'Hagan (Sr., Tonganoxie, Kan., Tonganoxie HS) hit .533 (9-1-15). Luiza Martins (Jr., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Western Nebraska CC) dished out 42 assists. Mariah Alvidrez (R-Sr., Bakersfield, Calif., Liberty HS) recorded 16 digs.  Danika Youngblood (Sr., Salt Lake City, Utah, Western Nebraska CC) added 13 digs and seven kills.

“It was a great first match!,” said Bakersfield director of volleyball Giovana Melo. “We did everything that we have been working on. I am very pleased with our performance.”

It is the first victory by Bakersfield over a Southeastern Conference foe in volleyball. The tournament continues Saturday when Bakersfield faces Louisiana-Monroe (7 a.m. PDT) and the host Bearkats (12 p.m. PDT).

~www.Gorunners.com~