BAKERSFIELD, Calif.--Sacramento State defeated CSU Bakersfield 3-1 in volleyball action Tuesday night.

A 10-2 run early in the first set gave the Roadrunners a 14-7 advantage.  With CSUB leading 16-9, the Hornets scored the next three points to close in on the Roadrunners.  The teams split the next six points before CSUB reached the 20-point mark on a Sac State hitting error.  The Roadrunners led 20-16 when the Hornets (3-1) scored four of the next five to cut the lead to 21-20.

The teams again exchanged points. With CSUB up 22-21, a Hornets' service error gave CSUB the serve on a two-point lead. Kortney Freeland and Sydney Haynes blocked Lauren Kissell's attempt for a Roadrunner triple set point.  Sac State went back to Kissell who responded with a kill. The Roadrunners called on Kelsee Sawyer who clinched the set with a kill, 25-22. CSUB held the Hornets to .194 hitting in the first set, recording four team blocks.

The Hornets jumped out to a 6-1 lead to begin the second set.  Led by Kissell who had seven kills, Sac State hit .452 in the second set and would even the match 25-13. Sac State again started strong, taking a 7-1 advantage to begin the third set.  

“We are struggling right now,” said CSUB director of volleyball Giovanna Melo.

The Roadrunners (0-4) chipped away, scoring the next three points. A Kissell kill from the left put down the CSUB threat. CSUB would get no closer than three in the third set as the Hornets earned a 25-8 victory. The Hornets hit .538 in the third (16-2-26) compared to .038 (5-4-26) for the Roadrunners.

Sac State opening the fourth set by scoring the first three points. CSUB responded by earning the next three for a tie. The Hornets would post the next seven points to pull out into the lead. Down 17-8, the 'Runners scored four of the next six to reach to within six, but that would as close the Roadrunners would get. Sac State won the fourth set by a 25-16 count.

Kissell posted a match high 20 kills and a.474 hitting percentage (20-2-38). Madeline Cannon hit. 500 (12-2-20). Sloan Lovett had 11 kills for the Hornets. Lexie Skalbeck led three Sac State players in double-digit digs with 14.

In her first career start at setter, Sophie Flemion tallied 29 assists and seven digs. Urias charted a team high 11 kills. Kelsee Sawyer had seven kills for CSUB. Morginne Demarco posted 13 digs.

“We have a lot of work to do,” Melo said. “We are very young and inconsistent. It's a struggle right now and need to fight through the adversity.”

The Roadrunners head to the Trojan Invitational in Troy, Ala. this weekend. The tournament opens Friday against the host, Troy University at 6 p.m. (CDT). CSU Bakersfield will open the home portion of the 2015 slate on Oct. 8 when CSUB hosts UTRGV at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at Vallitix.com.

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