Roadrunners open day one undefeated.

• Hosting the annual Roadrunner Classic in the Icardo Center, the Cal State Bakersfield volleyball team posted a pair of sweeps to start and close the day.
• In front of over 1,500 local school children for their annual Education Day game on Friday morning, the `Runners outlasted Eastern Washington in a couple close sets to start the 2023 season off with a 3-0 sweep.
• In the nightcap, Bakersfield controlled play most of the match in a convincing straight-sets sweep of Providence.
• On the day, the `Runners looked to Bakersfield native Ava Palm (3.5 kills per set, 0.8 blocks per set) and redshirt freshman Breklyn Pulling (2.8 kills per set, 1.2 blocks per set) to lead the way.
• On the back row, true freshman Grace Moss shined in her collegiate debut. CSUB’s starting libero averaged an impressive 4.67 digs per set over the pair of matches, making it tough for opposing hitters to score any easy kills.

Bakersfield takes win day two of Roadrunner Classic. 

• CSUB closed out the Roadrunner Classic matchup with Southern Utah as they defeated the Thunderbirds 3-1.
• Ava Palm was named Tournament MVP for her stellar performance, having a total of 37 kills. Palm averaged 3.7 kills per set and 1.3 digs per set. She currently is ranked in the top 100 for kills per set. 
• Grace Moss posted 50 digs on the weekend for an average of 5.00 digs per set. The true freshman ranks 35th in the country in digs per set after opening weekend. She tallied double-digit dig totals in all three matches including 17 ups in Bakersfield's 3-0 sweep of Providence.Moss was honored with an all-tournament team selection. 
• Middle blocker Breklyn Pulling averaged 2.4 kills and 1.2 blocks per set. 
• True freshman Nene Hawkins had 35 assists in Bakersfield's 4 set win over the Thunderbirds.  
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Roadrunners take 1-0 win over NAU

• Bakersfield started hot against the Lumberjacks, with Hailey Russell peppering the NAU goalkeeper with a stunning six shots in the first twelve minutes of the game.
• Hollee Hercik made a highlight-reel save on a hard shot that was destined for the bottom-right corner, saving easily the Lumberjacks’ best chance up to that point.
• At the 70-minute mark, true freshman Selena Hernandez bagged her first career NCAA goal on a cornered header from Penny Smith, putting the `Runners up 1-0 late in the game.
• Stevie Reynolds was given a red card in the 77th minute after being booked for the second time due to a hard two-footed tackle just outside the Bakersfield penalty area.
• Despite playing a woman down for the final 13 minutes, CSUB was able to hold possession and fend NAU off enough to secure CSUB’s first win of the year, first regular season road win since 2021, and Bernardo Silva’s first career win as Head Coach of the `Runners. 

Bakersfield finishes the week 1-1

• In the sweltering 108-degree Arizona heat, CSUB had a tough time settling the ball down early and could not get into a groove, as GCU took an 8th-minute 1-0 lead on a defensive miscue.
• The Lopes held the majority of possession through the first half before the `Runners finally found some comfort on the ball, putting together a string of solid chances.
• GCU was able to steal a buzzer-beating goal just before halftime due to a breakaway that left Alani Mexia no chance.
• Grand Canyon’s defense was a stalwart and had been solid all game, not allowing the `Runners much of a chance to get through. Another turnover led to another GCU goal just over one minute into the second half.
• GCU’s Gianna Gourley capped on her hat trick to put the Lopes up 4-0 before they increased that lead to 5-0 just two minutes later as Bakersfield struggled to keep them out of the penalty area.
• Bakersfield could not recover and ended up finishing the weekend with a 1-1 trip in Arizona.

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`Runners and Spartans ties 1-1 to open the 2023 season. 

• Bakersfield controlled the pace of play for most of the first half, but neither team was able to get on the scoreboard in the opening 45 minutes.
• In the 68th minute, CSUB forward Connor Mautino was taken down just outside the box. Sophomore Nathan Jimenez buried the free kick opportunity for a fantastic first goal and a 1-0 lead over the Spartans.
• SJSU answered back with just six minutes left in the match, scoring the equalizer off the foot of Joel Garcia.
• The match ended in a 1-1 draw with both teams fighting down to the final second.
• The first official match of the season also saw the return of Simon Tobin, who was Head Coach of the Roadrunner men’s soccer team for 27 seasons before moving to San José State.

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