RIVERSIDE (Nov. 30, 2017) — An unprecedented 18 consecutive NCAA berths has now translated into 18 straight postseason opening-round victories for CSUSB after Thursday night's five-set win over Azusa Pacific in tourney play at Cal Baptist.
 
About the victory
CSUSB improved to 22-7 overall and extended its season-best winning streak to 11 with a grinding 25-10, 25-23, 14-25, 21-25, 15-13 victory over the fifth-seeded Cougars (22-7). The victory pushes the Coyotes into the West Regional for an 18^th straight year where they face top-ranked and host Cal Baptist (29-0), which had all it could handle from eighth-seed Sonoma State in their five-set match. First serve is 7:30 p.m. Friday.
 
Who led the way?
Junior All-Region MB Hailey Jackson led the Coyotes with 17 kills and hit .350. Joining Jackson in double figures were freshman OH Alexis Cardoza (15) and West Region Player of the Year senior OH Lauren Nicholson with 10.
 
Building toward the Big moment
After working through a dominant first set, and a momentum-changing timeout in the second, CSUSB grabbed a 2-0 lead. After APU fought back and tied the set with a pair of dominant efforts, the match was tied at 2-2.
 
I'll take the 5^th
In the final set, 11 ties and six lead changes built toward a faceoff tied at 12-12. Nicholson, who was bottled up for most of the night on the attack (-.019 attack percentage), threw down a solo block that gave the Coyotes a one-point lead. After an APU timeout, Jackson threw down a solo of her own and CSUSB led 14-12. APU grabbed a point back before Jackson ended the match with a kill.
 
Final numbers
CSUSB hit .206 (60/24/175) and held the Cougars to a .144 effort on the attack (58/31/188). Junior S Jayann DeHoog had 51 assists, and Jackson and Cardoza each had two service aces.
 
Digging out the victory
The Coyotes had 79 digs with Cardoza and junior Hannah Barrett leading the way with 19 apiece. Freshman L Leilia To'omalatai had 17 and Nicholson had 14.
 
Nearing a career feat
Nicholson entered the match needing 18 digs to become the third Coyote to have 1,000 career digs and kills. She will need four more to reach the feat tomorrow night.