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California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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DesireeSukhovMN01
Mark Nessia/Mark Nessia Photography
1
UTRGV UTRGV 9-6, 0-1 WAC
3
Winner CSU Bakersfield CSUB 7-6, 1-0 WAC
UTRGV UTRGV
9-6, 0-1 WAC
1
Final
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CSU Bakersfield CSUB
7-6, 1-0 WAC
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
UTRGV UTRGV 25 20 25 18 (1)
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 16 25 27 25 (3)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball |

CSUB Wins 4th-Straight With Victory In WAC Opener

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – CSU Bakersfield's Western Athletic Conference opener against UT Rio Grande Valley appeared to be a nearly identical rematch of the 2017 Western Athletic Conference Volleyball Tournament final. Just as they did last November, the Roadrunners came from behind to earn a 3-1 victory over the Vaqueros in a thrilling contest on Thursday night in the Icardo Center.

With the win, CSUB started conference play on the right foot and extended its win streak to four-straight matches. The `Runners also reasserted their dominance over UTRGV as Bakersfield improved to 16-2 all-time against the Vaqueros.

Sophomore Desiree Sukhov posted a double-double for the `Runners on Thursday night with 12 kills and 11 digs. The outside hitter also recorded five services aces, tying CSUB's four-set match record. After not playing the last three matches, junior transfer Rafa Bonifacio came off the bench in the second set and tallied nine kills to spur Bakersfield's comeback.
 
In the first set, CSUB used a 6-0 run to take a 13-12 lead. UTRGV won the next five points to go ahead 17-13. The Vaqueros surged to the end and nabbed a 25-16 victory in Set 1. Sophomore libero Krista Hernandez recorded five digs for Bakersfield.

The `Runners came out of the break strong and held leads at 9-5 and 14-9 in Set 2. UTRGV would not go away, but Bakersfield maintained a three- or four-point lead most of the game. A 59-second rally that crossed the net 17 times resulted in a CSUB point and a 23-19 advantage. The two teams continued to battle, but another long rally two points later set CSUB up with set point. The `Runners finished off with a 25-20 victory on Bonifacio's fourth kill of the set.

The third set proved to be the most exhilarating with both teams trading points back and forth. There were 10 tie scores in the game with six lead changes. A late surge by the Vaqueros put UTRGV ahead 24-20, but the `Runners fended off four-straight set points to tie the score again.  The `Runners finally closed out the game with a thrilling, 27-25 victory. Bonifacio came up with a clutch kill later to give CSUB set point and then she combined with senior Mattison DeGarmo for a block to seal the game, 27-25. Redshirt freshman Brooke Boiseau had five kills in the set to help put the `Runners ahead 2-1 on the match.

Trailing 2-1 in the match, the Vaqueros jumped out to a quick, 6-3 lead in the fourth set. CSUB answered back to tie the match at 7-7 and the score remained close all the way until CSUB led 18-16. From there, the `Runners won seven of the final nine points to take a 25-18 win in Set 4 and a 3-1 match victory over UTRGV.

The `Runner backline was nearly impenetrable on Thursday night as CSUB recorded 75 digs. Hernandez, a native of Culver City, Calif., led the way with 31 digs, just two off the pace of her career-high. Boiseau, who hails from Scottsdale, Ariz., contributed 11 kills on .333 hitting while recording six blocks against the Vaqueros.

Bakersfield (7-6, 1-0 WAC) will stay home to host NM State (10-4, 0-1 WAC) on Saturday. First serve between the `Runners and Aggies is set for noon in the Icardo Center. Saturday's match is CSUB's Golden Game and fans are encouraged to wear gold to show support.
 
~GoRunners.com~
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