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Isaac Comelli, CSUB Athletic Communications

Beach Volleyball

`Runners Sweep Pair of Matches Against Concordia

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The CSU Bakersfield beach volleyball team earned a pair of victories over Concordia Irvine on Friday. The Roadrunners came out of the gate hot in the first match of the day, then came from behind to defeat the Eagles in Match 2 at the Barnes Beach Volleyball Complex at the Student Rec Center.

"We came in really strong," said Cesar Benatti, Head Coach of the `Runners. "It was good to see the consistency in the first wave of games. We were really into it and really aggressive, which is something we're always working on. We're getting better every day."

The `Runners came together with a common cause on Friday, rallying behind junior Hayley McCluskey and her family, who received tough news this week. Linda McCluskey, Hayley's mother, was diagnosed with brain cancer two days ago and is currently down at UCLA receiving the best treatment possible.
 
"Our program's first core value is Family," Benatti said. "It was a really tough week for Hayley and her family, but for us as well. The way that the team came together today to play for her was amazing to see. It was very touching and was a great moment to create a stronger bond in our team."

McCluskey and Mapuhola Sekona were one `Runner pairing to go 2-0 on the day. Joining them was Bakersfield's No. 1s, Cameron Solberg and Milica Vukobrat, and the No. 2s, Emily Hansen and Hana Makonova.

Benatti applauded his entire team's effort on Friday, but he looked to his No. 1 pair to close out Match 2 in the clutch: "Mili and Cameron have been doing such a great job. I think the Big West Challenge gave them so much confidence and they are just crushing right now. They are so consistent and so focused…When the deciding game is their game, it gives us peace of mind because we know they are going to take care of business."

CSUB 4, CUI 1

After dropping a close second set to Concordia Irvine, Hansen and Makonova answered right back and clinched the match with a 15-6 victory in Set 3. Playing just their second match together this season, McCluskey and Sekona cruised to a two-set sweep over the Eagles at the No. 4 pair.

No. 1 Cameron Solberg/Milica Vukobrat (CSUB) def. Ellie Cary/Vanessa Bernzen (CUI) 21-10, 21-12
No. 2 Emily Hansen/Hana Makonova (CSUB) def. Avery Keathley/Hailee Ryan (CUI) 21-13, 19-21, 15-6
No. 3 Nickie Hughes/Sara Ostojic (CUI) def. Jazleigh Ortiz/Ericka Snopko (CSUB) 21-9, 21-16
No. 4 Hayley McCluskey/Mapuhola Sekona (CSUB) def. Mia Corippo/Alexis Dirige (CUI) 21-15, 21-10
No. 5 Seleisa Elisaia/Alaina Gendale (CSUB) def. Shannon Evans/Alex Omaszta (CUI) 21-19, 21-16
Order of Finish: 3, 5, 4, 2*, 1

CSUB 3, CUI 2

The `Runners found themselves down 2-0 after the first wave of matches, but Bakersfield rallied, winning the final three matches. Solberg and Vukobrat sent match point to the sand and finished up a convincing day, winning all four sets while allowing their CUI counterparts less than an average of 11 points per set.

No. 1 Cameron Solberg/Milica Vukobrat (CSUB) def. Ellie Cary/Vanessa Bernzen (CUI) 21-12, 21-9
No. 2 Emily Hansen/Hana Makonova (CSUB) def. Avery Keathley/Hailee Ryan (CUI) 21-13, 21-12
No. 3 Nickie Hughes/Sara Ostojic (CUI) def. Jazleigh Ortiz/Ericka Snopko (CSUB) 21-19, 21-12
No. 4 Hayley McCluskey/Mapuhola Sekona (CSUB) def. Shannon Evans/Kya Bock (CUI) 21-16, 21-18
No. 5 Mia Corippo/Alexis Dirige (CUI) def. Seleisa Elisaia/Alaina Gendale (CSUB) 19-21, 21-13, 15-10
Order of Finish: 5, 3, 4, 2, 1*

Next Week

The `Runners will be back home next week, one final time this season. Senior Day will feature a Pairs Tournament against CSUN at the Barnes Beach Volleyball Complex. That tournament is scheduled for Friday, Apr. 16, with first serve set for 11 a.m. (PT).
 
~GoRunners.com~
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Players Mentioned

Seleisa Elisaia

#1 Seleisa Elisaia

5' 11"
Sophomore
Emily Hansen

#13 Emily Hansen

5' 10"
Junior
Hana Makonova

#22 Hana Makonova

5' 10"
Sophomore
Hayley McCluskey

#23 Hayley McCluskey

6' 0"
Sophomore
Jazleigh Ortiz

#11 Jazleigh Ortiz

5' 8"
Senior
Ericka Snopko

#14 Ericka Snopko

6' 0"
Redshirt Freshman
Cameron Solberg

#3 Cameron Solberg

5' 8"
Sophomore
Milica Vukobrat

#25 Milica Vukobrat

6' 0"
Sophomore
Mapuhola Sekona

#15 Mapuhola Sekona

5' 9"
Junior
Alaina Gendale

Alaina Gendale

5' 8"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Seleisa Elisaia

#1 Seleisa Elisaia

5' 11"
Sophomore
Emily Hansen

#13 Emily Hansen

5' 10"
Junior
Hana Makonova

#22 Hana Makonova

5' 10"
Sophomore
Hayley McCluskey

#23 Hayley McCluskey

6' 0"
Sophomore
Jazleigh Ortiz

#11 Jazleigh Ortiz

5' 8"
Senior
Ericka Snopko

#14 Ericka Snopko

6' 0"
Redshirt Freshman
Cameron Solberg

#3 Cameron Solberg

5' 8"
Sophomore
Milica Vukobrat

#25 Milica Vukobrat

6' 0"
Sophomore
Mapuhola Sekona

#15 Mapuhola Sekona

5' 9"
Junior
Alaina Gendale

Alaina Gendale

5' 8"
Junior
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