TEMPE, Ariz.—CSU Bakersfield closed the sand volleyball regular season by splitting a pair of duals Saturday at the ASU Sand Volleyball Challenge.

The day got underway with a 5-0 loss to No. 10 Arizona.  The Wildcats took straight sets victories at No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4. The Roadrunner No. 5 pair of Megan Johnson (R-Jr., Sandy, Utah, Western Nebraska CC) and Eryn Riley (Sr., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Los Osos HS) took Arizona's Olivia MacDonald and Taylor Lane to three sets. The Wildcats won the opening set 26-24 before Johnson and Riley tied the match by winning the second set by a 21-18 count. Arizona earned the victory with a 15-12 third set victory.

In the final match of the regular season, CSUB defeated Arizona State 3-2. The No. 4 team of Kelsee Sawyer (Jr., Temecula, Calif., Great Oak HS) and Hazel Perrens (Jr., Stavanger, Norway (Louisiana-Monroe) tied the match at one when they defeated their Sun Devil counterparts in three sets.

ASU won at No. 5 to take a 2-1 advantage. Mariah Alvidrez (R-Sr., Bakersfield, Calif., Liberty HS) and Molly O'Hagan (Sr., Tonganoxie, Kan., Tonganoxie HS) tied the match with a three-set victory in the No. 1 slot. The deciding match was at No. 3 where Sara Little (Jr., Bakersfield, Calif., Bakersfield HS) and Sophie Flemion (Jr., San San Simeon, Calif., Coast Union HS) defeated Whitney Follette and Hallie Harker in three sets, winning set three 15-11.

“I am beyond proud of our team,” said CSUB head coach Olivia Simko. “Our five seniors created a great energy that sustained us throughout the tournament. Our team fought and held their poise and confidence throughout stressful situations.”

The Roadrunners ended their third season of competition with an 11-7 dual record.

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