By David Aliaga
Staff Writer
Maria Alvidrez gets ready to spike the ball at the game against Idaho on Oct
26.
The CSUB women’s volleyball team added another victory to their winning streak as they defeated the University of Idaho on Saturday, Oct. 26 in the Icardo Center. The ‘Runners entered the match with 5 consecutive wins and an opportunity to move up in the Western Athletic Conference standings.
With the momentum on their side, Bakersfield rallied through the Vandals in four sets with a final score of 3-1. CSUB improved to 15-9 overall, and 7-3 in WAC play. The victory also moved the ‘Runners to the third spot in the conference rankings.
Despite their hot winning streak, Bakersfield dropped the opening set in a close 25-23 scuffle as Idaho capitalized on the ‘Runners’ poor serving.
“In the first set we came out and we were serving tough, but we were just missing it. We had some good tough serves that didn’t go our way, and once we got our serves under control it was a lot more competitive,” said CSUB
Head Coach Jolene Shepardson about the ‘Runners’ slow start. Idaho looked to continue their aggression in the second set with an early 5-3 advantage; however the energy shifted in Bakersfield’s favor after a Vandal’s service error. A kill by sophomore outside hitter, Kelsee Sawyer, added to the ‘Runners’ a 9-7 lead. CSUB stayed consistently defensive as they held Idaho to .067 hitting. The Runners’ slowly pulled away late in the second resulting in a 25-17 win.
Debora Araujo goes for an attack leading CSUB to victory, 3-1 against Idaho
on Oct. 26
The third set was no different for CSUB as their defensive strategy allowed only two lead changes and three ties which occurred early in the set. An Idaho service error gave CSUB a 4-3 lead as the ‘Runners denied the Vandals’ attempts of regaining the lead. Although the ‘Runners hit a low.
188 in the set, Bakersfield also held Idaho to a low .176 sitting percentage which rewarded CSUB with another 25-17 triumph. Idaho’s strong will and determination made the ‘Runners’ work for and earn every point in the fourth set. The Vandals took an early 7-6 lead as Bakersfield struggled to find the energy to break away and end the match. CSUB hit a game low .163 in set 4 while Idaho hit .184 – their best hitting percentage of the night. Both teams battled in the fourth as they went through 12 ties, and 4 lead changes. The score was tied late in the set, 22-22, but two straight kills by senior outside hitter Debora Araujo, gave CSUB the 24-22 advantage. The Vandals answered with a kill of their own,but Araujo sealed the deal by responding with another kill for the ‘Runners which resulted in a 25-23 victory.
After losing a close opening set, the ‘Runners’ showed great team chemistry as they fought through adversity and became victorious in the end.
“Coming out in the beginning we were a little rusty, but we just knew that we had to focus and we all worked together as a team to push through it,” said Sawyer on the team’s ability to step up to the challenge.
The ‘Runners recorded a total of 61 kills, showing their ability to score. Of the 61, 22 of those kills belonged to Araujo; she also added 11 digs and 2 assists. Sawyer added 13 kills while junior OP, Molly O’Hagan contributed with 12 kills. Mariah Alvidrez tacked on a game high, 18 digs. The ‘Runners look to carry their team efforts on the road as they face justify; conference opponents, Kansas City on Oct. 31 and Chicago State on Nov. 2.
