`Runners Ready for WAC Home Openers This Week

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – CSU Bakersfield's volleyball team only has eight home matches left as members of the Western Athletic Conference as this week marks the start of league play at home. The Roadrunners are preparing to host Utah Valley, Oct. 3, and Seattle U, Oct. 6 in a pair of WAC matches at the Icardo Center.

"We have two big challenges at home," said Giovana Melo, Director of Volleyball at CSUB. "Both teams are very good and will be very competitive. Both teams return some key players and have a great incoming group. We are ready for two great battles."

The `Runners will look to defend the Icardo Center, a place CSUB has enjoyed a recent run of success. Over the past 2+ seasons, CSUB has posted a .778 (21-6) win percentage on its home court and the `Runners have a chance to increase that to nearly 80% with a pair of wins this week.

CSUB is coming off a 1-1 week after opening WAC play with a loss at Kansas City and a victory over Chicago State. Sophomore Hayley McCluskey continues to lead the `Runner offense to the tune of 2.70 kills per set after tying her career-high with 20 kills against the Cougars. Setter Leisa Elisaia helped CSUB with a pair of double-doubles on the week and a pair of fantastic defensive plays, which were featured on NCAA Volleyball's social media accounts with over 50,000 total views.

On Thursday, Utah Valley (4-10, 1-1 WAC) will come to play on CSUB's blue, Kern Schools Court. The Wolverines also opened WAC play last week with a 1-1 performance at home, losing to NM State, 3-1, before taking down UTRGV, 3-2. UVU looks to Kazna Tarawhiti's 3.7 kills and 2.3 digs per set to lead the way while setter Madi Wardle chips in 6.4 assists and 2.6 digs per set.

A Saturday matinee featuring CSUB and Seattle U (9-7, 0-2 WAC) promises to deliver a powerful punch. The Redhawks suffered a pair of WAC sweeps at the hands of NMSU and UTRGV last week, but will look to rebound on the road this week. Seattle U relies heavily on the swing of sophomore Eve Kerschenbaum, who averages 3.39 kills per set. Ezgi Ozkan, a freshman from Istanbul, Turkey, runs the floor with 8.85 assists per set.

Thursday's match against UVU is scheduled for a 6 p.m. first serve in the Icardo Center. On Saturday, the `Runners and Redhawks will start play at 1 p.m. Saturday's match also features a special theme as CSUB's annual Pride Day match.

Tickets for this week's matches can be purchased ahead of time or at the box office on game day. Fans who are unable to make it down to the Icardo Center can watch CSUB Volleyball on ESPN3.com or the WatchESPN app all season long.

~GoRunners.com~

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Players Mentioned

#1 Seleisa Elisaia: S; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#18 Hayley McCluskey: OH; 6' 0"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#1 Seleisa Elisaia
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: S

#18 Hayley McCluskey
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: OH

Players Mentioned

#1 Seleisa Elisaia

#18 Hayley McCluskey

Players Mentioned

#1 Seleisa Elisaia

#18 Hayley McCluskey