CSUB Volleyball Heads To GCU Then Hosts CBU

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Heading into a week featuring another road trip followed by a home test, the theme of the moment for CSU Bakersfield's volleyball team is "grit". The Roadrunners are headed to Phoenix to take on Grand Canyon Thursday before returning to the Icardo Center to protect their perfect, 8-0 home record against California Baptist, the team that last week handed CSUB its first loss in a month.

"This week we are going to need a lot of grit," said CSUB's Director of Volleyball, Giovana Melo. "Playing at Grand Canyon is always tough. That team is very scrappy and then we have to turn around to play California Baptist at home. It is going to be a tough week for us, but we are ready to go to battle."

CSUB (11-7, 4-1 WAC) will make the trip to Phoenix to face a GCU squad (7-10, 0-5 WAC) on a seven-match skid. In the comfort of their home arena, the Lopes are not a team to overlook. GCU has a quartet of hitters each averaging more than two kills per set on the year. Freshman KJ Adams is dangerous on the serve as she sits behind only CSUB's Desiree Sukhov as the WAC leaders in aces this season.

The `Runners are also preparing for a rematch against CBU (13-5, 4-2 WAC), this time on CSUB's home court. The Lancers held off CSUB in Riverside, Calif. last Saturday in a five-match thriller. The `Runners look to exact revenge in Bakersfield a week later, but have to limit Tesa Oaks, who recorded a match-high 22 kills in CBU's victory over CSUB.

Much like Grand Canyon, CSUB features a well-rounded offense with six `Runners averaging more than 1.5 kills per set. Senior Briannah Mariner and Sukhov, a sophomore, have been trading off as the team's leader in kills with Mariner currently sitting on top at 2.35 per set. Redshirt junior Sidney Wicks runs the `Runner offense to the tune of 6.17 assists pet set while freshman Leisa Elisia chips in 4.06 a game.

Bakersfield's match in Phoenix is set for Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. (PT). The `Runners and Lancers will clash in the Icardo Center at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13. Links to live streams, live stats, and tickets can be found on the CSUB volleyball schedule page.

~GoRunners.com~

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Players Mentioned

#10 Briannah Mariner: OH; 5' 10"; Senior

#6 Desiree Sukhov: OH; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#8 Sidney Wicks: S; 5' 7"; Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

#10 Briannah Mariner
: 5' 10"; Senior
: OH

#6 Desiree Sukhov
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: OH

#8 Sidney Wicks
: 5' 7"; Redshirt Junior
: S

Players Mentioned

#10 Briannah Mariner

#6 Desiree Sukhov

#8 Sidney Wicks

Players Mentioned

#10 Briannah Mariner

#6 Desiree Sukhov

#8 Sidney Wicks