SEATTLE—CSU Bakersfield extended its Division I school record for consecutive victories to seven with a straight sets sweep of Seattle Thursday night.

With the score tied at 17 in the first set, CSUB used an 8-1 run to take the opener by a 25-18 count. The score was knotted up at 11 in the second set when the 'Runners sped to a 9-2 spurt that would help propel CSUB to a 25-18 second set victory and a 2-0 match lead.

The Redhawks flew to a 5-1 start in the third set before CSUB battled back and reduced the lead to 9-8. SU scored five of the next seven. At 15-15, a quick 3-0 burst propelled the Roadrunners to a 15-5 run that would give CSUB a 25-20 set win and the sweep. The victory was the 11th in row for CSU Bakersfield in the series against Seattle U dating back to Nov. 4, 2001 when the Redhawks defeated the Roadrunners 3-1.

Carol Grasso hit .355 on her way to a match high 15 kills (15-4-31) for the 'Runners. Grasso added eight digs, five service aces, and two blocks. CSUB setter Fabiana Andrade recorded 32 assists and two blocks while libero Jocelyn Rodriguez charted a team high 15 digs. Katarina Marinkovic tallied 11 kills to pace Seattle U. Shae Harris had 17 assists while SU libero Iris Ivanis put up 15 digs.

“This was a good win for us!” said CSUB director of volleyball Giovana Melo. “Our hitting percentage wasn't as good it has been, but we were able to side out and serve well.”

The Roadrunners (13-13, 10-3 WAC) conclude the regular season Saturday at Utah Valley (14-13, 9-4 WAC). With a victory, CSUB would clinch the second seed at next week's WAC Tournament in Las Cruces, N.M. If Utah Valley wins, the teams would tie for second in the league, but UVU would get the two seed based on the head-to-head criteria.

The second seed gets a first round bye at the WAC Tournament. The tournament host, NM State (22-6, 12-1 WAC), clinched the outright regular season title and No. 1 seed Thursday with a 3-2 victory at Chicago State.

~www.GoRunners.com~