BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—Led by Kelsee Sawyer's match high 15 kills, CSU Bakersfield defeated Grand Canyon in straight sets Saturday afternoon in Western Athletic Conference volleyball action.

“We played well,” said CSUB director of volleyball Giovana Melo. “I thought we improved throughout the match. Kelsee has really taken on a leadership role. She has become a leader and has improved as a player throughout the year.”

The Roadrunners (8-12, 6-2 WAC) held the Antelopes to -.038 hitting the first set as CSUB earned a 25-12 victory. The strong 'Runner defense continue in the second set as the Antelopes could only muster a -.079 hitting percentage (4-7-38) as CSUB took a 2-0 advantage into halftime with a 25-11 set win.

Grand Canyon (4-16, 2-6 WAC) mounted a charge in the third set as the teams played to 11 ties and traded the lead four times.  The Antelopes led 19-17 before the Roadrunners scored the next four points. Grand Canyon responded with the next two points for a 21-21 score.

The teams exchanged the next four points before Natalie Tardy gave GCU the lead at 24-23 with a kill. After a CSUB timeout, Sydney Haynes' kill tied the score for the final time at 24. A Carol Grasso service ace put the Roadrunners up 25-24 before a Sawyer kill earned CSUB's third consecutive victory and fifth in the last six matches.

“Grand Canyon played better in the third set,” Melo said. “When they put the pressure on us, we were able to respond and continue to play well.”

Sawyer was one of three Roadrunner players in double figures. Grasso had 13 kills while Haynes posted 10. Grasso and Luiza Martins both tallied double-doubles for the Roadrunners. Grasso added 14 digs to her totals. She also had two assists, two service aces, and one block. Martins, the CSUB setter, recorded 42 assists and 13 digs. It was Martins' 16th double-double of her career.

CSU Bakersfield returns home Thursday when the Roadrunners host Seattle U at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at Vallitix.com. The match can also been seen on the WAC Digital Network.

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