CHICAGO—Carol Grasso recorded a match high 22 kills to lead CSU Bakersfield to a 3-1 Western Athletic Conference volleyball victory over Chicago State Saturday afternoon.

With the score tied for the 12th time in the first set at 16-16, the Roadrunners mounted a 9-1 charge to cap off the opening frame to give CSUB a 25-17 victory. The second set was much of the same as the score was tied nine times. At 16-16, the 'Runners used a run, this time it was 7-1 to open up a 23-17 lead. The Cougars clawed back, scoring the next three before Carol Grasso earned CSUB a set point with a kill at 24-20. Grasso's service ace made it 25-20 and gave the 'Runners a 2-0 match lead.

A 12-2 Chicago State spurt midway through the third set helped the Cougars win the third set by a 25-20 count. The Roadrunners jumped out to an 8-4 lead to start the fourth set. Chicago State cut the advantage to 8-7 after a timeout before CSUB pushed the lead to 12-8. The Cougars responded with the next five point to lead by one.

A Marina Sanches kill tied it at 13 before an Addy Peters service ace returned the lead to the 'Runners 14-13. Grasso's kill increased the advantage to two before a Marina Sanches solo block created a 16-13 score. Sofia Gruden's kill earned the serve for Chicago State. CSUB sided out with on a Sanches' kill. A Roadrunner service error gave the ball back to the Cougars but Chicago State couldn't capitalize as Grasso posted her 20th kill. CSU Bakersfield called Grasso's number again and she responded with a kill. Sydney Haynes and Katie Dunbar-Lowe blocked a Juma Armando attack to make it 20-15 in favor of the 'Runners.

A CSUB service error again returned the serve to Chicago State before an Alexandria Cliff block cut the Roadrunner lead to three. Armando tallied a kill that resulted in a CSU Bakersfield timeout. A Grasso kill out of the break moved to the lead back to three. The 'Runner defense forced a Corey Davis hitting error and a Cougars' timeout. Both teams traded kills before Chicago State scored two straight for a 23-21 score. A Megan Klavattier service ace made it a one-point set before a Haynes kill earned CSUB its first match point. Fabiana Andrade secured the victory with a service ace 25-22.

In addition to her 22 kills, Grasso hit .357 for the match (22-7-42). The 5-6 outside hitter added eight digs, three blocks, and two service aces. Sanches posted 14 kills and a .458 hitting average (14-3-24). Andrade charted 32 assists, seven digs, and three service aces. Jocelyn Rodriguez had 22 digs while Peters added 17 digs.

Dzeni Hadzisehovic led the Cougars (3-16, 1-3 WAC) with 13 kills. Davis, the Chicago State setter, registered a double-double of 18 assists and 13 digs. She also had seven kills and one block.

"Overall we played OK," said CSUB director of volleyball Giovana Melo. "We need to get better for next week."

The Roadrunners return home Thursday when CSUB (6-12, 3-2 WAC) hosts Utah Valley (6-11, 2-2 WAC) at 7 p.m.

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