TBT: Volleyball's Two WAC Tournament Titles

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Our next Throwback Thursday features the CSU Bakersfield indoor volleyball team, which became the first Roadrunner squad to win two Western Athletic Conference Tournament titles and the first to earn two NCAA Tournament berths at the NCAA Division I level. These Throwback Thursday stories are presented by Dewars, serving Bakersfield for 110+ years.

This week's #TBT features @CSUB_Volleyball and the program's pair of WAC Tournament titles. At the Division level, the `Runner volleyball team became our first to earn berths in two NCAA Tournaments!#MakeYourMark #ThrowbackThursday pic.twitter.com/UqiMYLer4z
— CSU Bakersfield Athletics (@CSUBAthletics) May 14, 2020

The Roadrunners appeared in their first NCAA Tournament following a 2014 WAC Tournament title. CSUB upset the No. 2-seeded NM State Aggies in the semifinals before riding that momentum to a 3-0 sweep over Seattle U in the finals. Playing on their home court, the `Runners clinched the victory and earned their first-ever berth in the Big Dance. CSUB landed a date with the No. 1 overall seed Stanford and eventually fell to the Final Four-bound team after a hard-fought battle (21-25, 21-25, 18-25).

During the 2014 season, Bakersfield looked to a trio of `Runners to lead the offensive front. Danika Youngblood, Kelsee Sawyer, and Molly O'Hagan all averaged more than 3.2 kills per set while O'Hagan paced the squad with 0.92 blocks per set. Setter Luiza Martins ran the floor while tallying more than 11 assists per set and leading CSUB Volleyball to its first postseason appearance at the NCAA Division I level.

Three years later, CSUB claimed the 2017 WAC Tournament crown despite not having home court advantage. After taking down the No. 1 seed in NMSU in the semifinals, Bakersfield pulled off another upset of tournament host UTRGV. The `Runners returned to Stanford, Calif. to face the Cardinal in the NCAA Tournament, falling in straight sets while capping another historic season.

The 2017 squad featured a more balanced attack with seven `Runners averaging 1.7 kills per set and five tallying more than 2.0 kills per set. In Giovana Melo's 6-2 setter system, Fabiana Andrade and Sidney Wicks were both integral leaders on the court. On the front line, Haylee Roberts and Sydney Haynes battled each other for CSUB's single-season blocking records.

Check back in next week for another CSUB throwback as we will be remembering Angel Valdez, one of the best distance runners in CSUB's track and field and cross country history.

~GoRunners.com~

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Players Mentioned

#1 Fabiana Andrade: S; 5' 7"; Senior

#13 Sydney Haynes: MB; 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior

#11 Haylee Roberts: MB; 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior

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

Players Mentioned

#1 Fabiana Andrade
: 5' 7"; Senior
: S

#13 Sydney Haynes
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior
: MB

#11 Haylee Roberts
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior
: MB

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