BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—CSU Bakersfield used a strong hitting performance to defeat UTRGV 3-0 in Western Athletic Conference volleyball action Thursday night.   

“We were pretty consistent throughout the match,” said CSUB director of volleyball Giovana Melo.

Both teams hit well in the first set, but CSUB's .469 performances (17-2-32) proved to be the difference over the Vaqueros the 'Runners took the opener by a 25-19 count. UTRGV was .369 (14-3-30) from the field in the first set.

The Roadrunners' (5-11, 3-1 WAC) hitting was even better in the second set as the CSUB was .516 (19-3-31) from the floor as CSUB defeated the Vaqueros 25-17. The Roadrunners posted an 88% side out average (15-17) in the second set.

The third set featured 16 ties and three lead changes. UTRGV took a 21-19 advantage on an Alexandra Ecker kill before Edithza Urias earned a kill on the following CSUB possession. Bojana Mitrovic was blocked by Sydney Haynes and Luiza Martins on the next Vaqueros' offensive chance to tie the match at 21. Urias' tallied her second service ace of the night to return the lead to CSUB at 22-21.

UTRGV (8-10, 1-3 WAC) went back to Mitrovic who responded with a kill that tied the score. Ecker's service error returned the serve to CSUB at 23-22. Carol Grasso posted a service ace to give CSUB three match points. Sydney Haynes put down a kill for a 25-22 score and CSUB victory.

“I thought we lost focus in the third set,” Melo said. “We were able to come back and be strong at the end.  Coming back home gave us the boost we needed.”

Kelsee Sawyer hit .500 for the match, committing only one error in 28 attempts. She posted a match 15 kills. Like Sawyer, Haynes only tallied one error as she hit .481. She had 14 kills among her 27 chances. The 6-2 middle hitter also had three blocks and three digs.  As a team, CSUB hit .380 (50-9-108). Martins recorded 41 assists, five digs, and three blocks.  CSUB sided out 47 times in 60 opportunities (78%).

Mitrovic paced the Vaqueros with 14 kills and eight digs. Setter Dubravka Vukoja registered 30 assists while Kasey Sanchez led UTRGV with 11 digs.

The Roadrunners host WAC leader NM State (14-5, 4-0 WAC) Saturday at 1 p.m. Tickets are available at Vallitix.com. The match can also been seen on the WAC Digital Network.

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