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California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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RafaBonifacioMN02
Mark Nessia/Mark Nessia Photography
3
Winner New Mexico St. NMSU 22-3,13-0 WAC
1
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 8-17,3-10 WAC
Winner
New Mexico St. NMSU
22-3,13-0 WAC
3
Final
1
CSU Bakersfield CSUB
8-17,3-10 WAC
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
New Mexico St. NMSU 30 21 27 25 (3)
CSU Bakersfield CSUB 28 25 25 17 (1)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball |

CSUB Gives WAC Leader NMSU All it Can Handle



BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Facing the Western Athletic Conference's top team, CSU Bakersfield's volleyball team did not fold under pressure and battled NM State (22-3, 13-0 WAC) in the Icardo Center on Thursday night. The visiting Aggies earned a 3-1 victory (28-30, 25-21, 25-27, 17-25) on the Kern Schools Court, but the Roadrunners gave the league's leader one of its toughest fights of the season.

"Tonight was tough to swallow," said Giovana Melo, Bakersfield's sixth-year Director of Volleyball. "I thought we played well and battled every point. It was a matter of details. New Mexico State are a great team. I have to give them credit, but we definitely had opportunities to win it."

On Thursday night, Bakersfield's offense was led by redshirt sophomore Brooke Boiseau. The native of Scottsdale, Ariz. tallied 13 kills on .300 hitting to go with four blocks. Sophomore setter Leisa Elisaia tallied 33 assists and a career-high five blocks against the Aggies. Another sensational sophomore, Milica Vukobrat recorded eight kills, six digs, and four aces. Senior Rafa Bonifacio, who moved to libero just a few matches ago, posted 20 digs from the back row.

After trailing for the majority of the first set, CSUB used a 9-2 run to surge ahead of NMSU as a Vukobrat ace gave the `Runners to a 23-21 advantage. The set score would be tied six more times before the marathon game closed with the Aggies holding off CSUB for a 30-28 win.

Bakersfield trailed early again in Set 2, but a 6-0 run pulled the `Runners within one point at 11-12. Later in the game, a 9-1 push gave CSUB a 24-20 advantage and the `Runners tied the match with a 25-21 win. At that point in the match, Boiseau and Vukobrat led CSUB with seven kills each while Elisaia had 18 assists and three blocks.

In the third set, Bakersfield jumped out to a fast, 4-0 lead, but NMSU stormed back to take an 8-6 lead. Play remained tight, but back-to-back service aces by redshirt senior Hannah Manzanares gave the `Runners a 19-17 advantage. Later, Emily Hansen and Boiseau tallied back-to-back kills to give CSUB a set point opportunity at 24-23, but the Aggies rallied and stole a 27-25 win.

The final set found NM State leading most of the way, but every time the Aggies surged ahead Bakersfield rallied to stay in the game. A late run brought CSUB with four points at 17-21, but the Aggies won the final four points to clinch the match.

CSUB (8-17, 3-10 WAC) played like a squad that can beat any team in the WAC on Thursday night and the `Runners will need to continue that strong play in their final three matches of the season. On Saturday, Nov. 9, CSUB will host the WAC's second-place team, California Baptist, at 1 p.m. before CSUB celebrates Senior Night on Monday against UTRGV.

~GoRunners.com~
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