`Runners to Host 3 Matches Over 6 Days, Senior Night

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Three matches over six days will make for a busy week in the Icardo Center as CSU Bakersfield's volleyball team begins to wrap up the regular season. The Roadrunners are set to host NM State on Thursday, Nov. 7, before welcoming California Baptist on Nov. 9 and UTRGV on Nov. 11. The last of those three matches will be Bakersfield's Senior Night as four `Runners will play their final home matches.

"As of right now, we have a challenge in front of us with three very good teams coming to our place," said Giovana Melo, CSUB's Director of Volleyball. "This team has a lot of heart and they are fighters. I know we are going to battle through this." NMSU is the Western Athletic Conference's leader with an unblemished, 12-0 record. UTRGV and CBU are both in front of Bakersfield in the league standings.

Melo went on to talk about CSUB's four seniors, Sidney Wicks, Rafa Bonifacio, Hannah Manzanares, and Ally Barber: "I am very thankful for each of those seniors. Hannah and Rafa as transfers have made significant changes to be where they are today and in such a short period of time became completely bought in to this program. Sid and Ally have put in a lot of hard work and sweat for the last five years. They both bleed blue and gold. They are the only two seniors so far who have redshirted and been in our program with me as a head coach for five years. They know exactly what this program is all about and what it takes to be successful in it as they both have been conference champions. I am so thankful for all four of them and what they have done for our school and our program."

With 75% of WAC matches completed, NMSU (21-3, 12-0 WAC) remains undefeated in league play, but the Aggies have shown signs of vulnerability. NMSU dropped at least one set in six of their twelve matches, including one against the `Runners on Oct. 10. Savannah Davison (3.54 kills/set) and Megan Hart (2.73 kills/set, 1.08 blocks/set) pose a powerful dual threat for the Aggies.

California Baptist (11-14, 5-7 WAC) has struggled against some of the WAC's top teams over the last few weeks, but the Lancers did outlast the `Runners in a marathon match in Riverside, Calif. on Oct. 21. CBU's 3-2 victory over the `Runners was the third-straight match Bakersfield dropped against the Lancers, all in five sets.

UTRGV (13-13, 7-5 WAC) had earned wins in five of its previous six matches before being swept against NM State on Saturday. The Vaqueros hosted Bakersfield last month and earned a 3-1 victory on their home court. UTRGV looks to Barbara Silva and Sarah Cruz to lead the offense as each average over three kills per set while Debora Nazario's 9.4 assists per set is third-best in the WAC.

Thursday's match against NMSU is scheduled for a 7 p.m. first serve in the Icardo Center while Saturday's clash with UTRGV will begin at 1 p.m. Senior Night on Monday is set for 7 p.m. with a ceremony schedule right before the start of the match.

All of CSUB's matches will be streamed live via WatchESPN while a new development has allowed for international users to follow along via the WAC Digital Network. Links to live stats and all live streams are available on the CSUB volleyball schedule page.

~GoRunners.com~

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Players Mentioned

#4 Ally Barber: MB; 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior

#7 Rafa Bonifacio: OH; 5' 11"; Senior

#9 Hannah Manzanares: L; 5' 7"; Redshirt Senior

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

Players Mentioned

#4 Ally Barber
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior
: MB

#7 Rafa Bonifacio
: 5' 11"; Senior
: OH

#9 Hannah Manzanares
: 5' 7"; Redshirt Senior
: L

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

California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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`Runners to Host 3 Matches Over 6 Days, Senior Night

Players Mentioned

#4 Ally Barber

#7 Rafa Bonifacio

#9 Hannah Manzanares

#8 Sidney Wicks

Players Mentioned

#4 Ally Barber

#7 Rafa Bonifacio

#9 Hannah Manzanares

#8 Sidney Wicks