`Runners Dominate Fifth Set to Secure Five-Set Win at UC Riverside

California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball | October 10, 2026

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – CSU Bakersfield volleyball bounced back in a big way, dominating the decisive fifth set to earn a 3-2 road victory over UC Riverside. The `Runners opened with two set wins before the Highlanders rallied to force a fifth, where Bakersfield closed out the match with a commanding 15-4 finish.

Key Facts

Suelen Lima recorded a career-high 16 kills, adding eight digs while hitting .314.
Leylah Duran also tallied 16 kills, hitting .481 with 18 points.
Luiza Da Cruz led the offense with 47 assists and added six kills while hitting .500.
Jordyn Waite-Ward recorded 13 kills, reaching double-digit kills for the seventh time this season.
Bakersfield finished with 70 kills and a .248 hitting percentage.

How It Happened

The `Runners came out strong in the opening set, taking a 25-16 victory to grab an early lead. Bakersfield carried that momentum into the second set, battling through a tight finish to edge UC Riverside 29-27 and take a two-set advantage.

The Highlanders responded in the third set, pulling away for a 25-18 win to get back into the match. UC Riverside continued its push in the fourth, narrowly defeating CSUB 27-25 to even the match at two sets apiece.

With the match on the line, Bakersfield delivered a dominant performance in the fifth set. The `Runners recorded eight kills without an error, hitting .667 to cruise to a 15-4 victory and secure the five-set road win.

What's Next?
The `Runners return home to continue Big West play against UC Irvine:

CSUB vs. UCI
Friday, Oct. 16, 6 P.M.
Bakersfield, Calif.
- Main Soccer Field
Fans can purchase tickets for CSUB home events online at GoRunners.com/Tickets
- Skip the line, buy online!