CSUB Ready to Host Central California Challenge

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – For the first time this season, the Cal State Bakersfield volleyball team will enjoy the comforts of the Icardo Center this weekend. The Roadrunners are preparing to host the Central California Challenge featuring four teams playing six matches, Sept. 16-17, with Pacific, Sacramento State, and Fresno State coming to do battle.

Quotes from Head Coach Giovana Melo

"Every weekend, the team has continued to get a little better. It did not all come together until we played against West Virginia."
"All three teams we have competed against in the past. Some are a little more physical than others. We have to serve against them and put some pressure on them. If we can do a good job of serving and get them out of system, we will be more successful."

Central California Challenge Schedule

Friday		Saturday
10 AM	CSUB vs. Pacific	11 AM	Sacramento St.vs. Pacific
12 PM	Fresno St. vs. Sac St.	4 PM	CSUB vs. Fresno St.
5 PM	Sac St. vs. Pacific
7 PM	CSUB vs. Fresno St.

Top `Runner Performers Last Week

Outside hitter Ava Palm: 2.3 kills per set on .326 hitting, 1.9 digs and 0.7 digs per set, All-Tournament Team
Libero Paige Calvin: 2.8 digs per set, 2 service aces, All-Tournament Team
Middle blocker Sophia Bertotti Metoyer: 1.2 kills and 1.3 blocks per set
Outside hitter Hayley McCluskey: 3.4 kills and 1.6 digs per set, .205 hitting percentage
Setter Laura De Pra: 8.1 assists and 1.3 digs per set, ranks fourth in The Big West with 8.8 assists per set on the year

Scouting the Tigers

Pacific will come to Bakersfield with a 5-4 record.
The Tigers have not lost consecutive matches all season and have won three of their last four.
Outside hitter Alexa Edwards ranks 20th in the national with 4.38 kills per set.
Pacific owns a 5-1 advantage in its all-time series with CSUB.

Scouting the Hornets

Sacramento State has a 3-6 record on the year with a challenging schedule thus far.
Last weekend, the Hornets snapped a four-match losing streak with a five-set road win against San Diego State.
A defensive presence at the net, 5-foot-11 Tiyanane Kamba-Griffin ranks 36th in the country with 1.37 blocks per set.
The Sacramento State roster features a well-rounded offense with six women averaging at least 1.68 kills per set.
The Hornets have a 19-6 all-time record against the `Runners.

Scouting the Bulldogs

Fresno State is off to a 4-5 start, but the team has lost three of its last four matches.
The Bulldogs look to Ella Rud and Grace Doyle who both average more than three kills per set.
CSUB trails Fresno State 21-6 in the all-time series, but the `Runners have a 2-3 record in the last five meetings.

How to Follow the `Runners