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David Dennis/All-Star Sports Photography

Women's Volleyball

Melo Leads CSUB Volleyball into 2nd Season in Big West

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – After a successful 2021 campaign, the program's first in the Big West Conference, the Cal State Bakersfield volleyball team is preparing to start the 2022 season this weekend. Heading into her ninth season at the helm of the Roadrunners, Head Coach Giovana Melo is looking to a core group of veteran returners to lead a several newcomers into a challenging schedule and the Big West gauntlet.

Team Chemistry
  • Melo leads a 16-woman roster that features an even split with eight returners (including two redshirts) and eight newcomers.
  • "We have made good improvement and changes in the last two weeks…I think we still have a long ways to go in chemistry and building relationships."
  • "There are so many pieces and new players that it takes them a while to create the deeper relationships we always talk about."
Expectations
  • Melo does not pick captains but has a core leadership group that leads the squad into battle.
  • "It's so crucial what our leaders do every single day. Not just what they do on the court, but the relationships they create with our young players."
  • "I think these next four weekends are going to tell us a lot and we're going to see what we look like and what each team in the Big West looks like…I think they will respect us even though we have a younger group."
Defense Wins Championships
  • Bakersfield benefits from a surplus of talented young women patrolling the back line.
  • Seniors Paige Calvin and Caroline Benke return for their final seasons and provide veteran leadership in the libero/defensive specialist positions.
  • Sarah Martin returns for her second year in the back row while freshman Maci Perkins is gaining valuable experience.
Floor General
  • CSUB must replace a First Team All-Conference setter in CSUB alumna Seleisa Elisaia, who is using her final year of eligibility to compete at Penn State.
  • Melo, a former setter, brought in a pair of transfer setters in Laura De Pra (Lousiana Tech) and Ella Erteltova (Florida International).
  • "It's not just the skills, but also the relationships they have with their hitters. The Setter-Hitter connection is so important."
Swinging from the Pins
  • Outside hitter Hayley McCluskey returns after leading the `Runners in kills in 2021.
  • Sophomore Samia Bhakta will continue to hold down the right side for CSUB.
  • Redshirt freshman Lizzie Binder is familiar with Melo's system after a year of learning.
  • Outside hitter Ava Palm transferred back to her hometown after two seasons at UTEP.
  • Houston native Naomi Chankoumi rounds out CSUB's pin hitters as a true freshman.
Down the Middle
  • Middle blocker Hana Makonova returns for her final season and is chasing the program's career blocks record after resetting the single-season mark in 2021.
  • Seattle U transfer Sophia Bertotti Metoyer and redshirt freshman Golden Finch also bring previous experience for the `Runners.
  • Emma Erteltova, older sister of Ella, also transferred from FIU and brings the versatility to play from either the middle of the right side.
  • Colorado native Breklyn Pulling rounds out the Bakersfield middles as a true freshman.
Opening Weekend
  • Bakersfield kicks off the 2022 season at the Webb-Burbridge Classic.
  • The tournament is hosted by Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz., Aug. 26-27.
  • CSUB will play three matches over two days against ASU, Toledo, and Northern Iowa.
  • Links to follow along are available at GoRunners.com/Live.
~GoRunners.com~
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Players Mentioned

Seleisa Elisaia

#1 Seleisa Elisaia

S
5' 10"
Junior
Hana Makonova

#11 Hana Makonova

MB
5' 11"
Redshirt Sophomore
Hayley McCluskey

#18 Hayley McCluskey

OH
6' 0"
Junior
Caroline Benke

#7 Caroline Benke

L/DS
5' 7"
Junior
Samia Bhakta

#16 Samia Bhakta

RS
6' 0"
Sophomore
Lizzie Binder

#20 Lizzie Binder

OH
6' 2"
Redshirt Freshman
Paige Calvin

#3 Paige Calvin

L/DS
5' 7"
Senior
Golden Finch

#8 Golden Finch

MB
5' 10"
Redshirt Freshman
Sarah Martin

#15 Sarah Martin

L/DS
5' 7"
Sophomore
Maci Perkins

#4 Maci Perkins

L/DS
5' 5"
Freshman
Sophia Bertotti Metoyer

#5 Sophia Bertotti Metoyer

MB
6' 1"
Sophomore
Laura De Pra

#1 Laura De Pra

S
6' 0"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Seleisa Elisaia

#1 Seleisa Elisaia

5' 10"
Junior
S
Hana Makonova

#11 Hana Makonova

5' 11"
Redshirt Sophomore
MB
Hayley McCluskey

#18 Hayley McCluskey

6' 0"
Junior
OH
Caroline Benke

#7 Caroline Benke

5' 7"
Junior
L/DS
Samia Bhakta

#16 Samia Bhakta

6' 0"
Sophomore
RS
Lizzie Binder

#20 Lizzie Binder

6' 2"
Redshirt Freshman
OH
Paige Calvin

#3 Paige Calvin

5' 7"
Senior
L/DS
Golden Finch

#8 Golden Finch

5' 10"
Redshirt Freshman
MB
Sarah Martin

#15 Sarah Martin

5' 7"
Sophomore
L/DS
Maci Perkins

#4 Maci Perkins

5' 5"
Freshman
L/DS
Sophia Bertotti Metoyer

#5 Sophia Bertotti Metoyer

6' 1"
Sophomore
MB
Laura De Pra

#1 Laura De Pra

6' 0"
Senior
S
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