SEASIDE -- Cal State San Bernardino opened defense of its CCAA conference championship Friday night with an impressive 3-0 sweep of Cal State Monterey Bay in the Kelp Bed, the Otters' home gym.
    The victory improved the nation's No. 1 Division II volleyball team to 8-0 on the season and 1-0 in the CCAA. CSUSB will take on San Francisco State at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Gators gym.
    All-American Jessica Granados continued her fine play this season, leading CSUSB with 14 kills in 31 attacks with one error (.419 hitting), six digs and two solo blocks. Junior outside hitter Ashtin Hall had 10 kills on .286 hitting with nine digs.
    Senior libero Meghan Haas had 19 digs while freshman back court specialist Kelcie Tolan had 12 digs. Junior setter Sara Hoffman generated 36 assists in the match as the Coyotes romped 25-16, 25-16 and 25-12.
    Senior middle blocker Sara Rice and freshman middle blocker Samantha Middleborn each had six kills and Middleborn accounted for two solo blocks.
    Alisha Thomas led the Otters with nine kills. Monterey Bay hit a minus .019 against the Coyotes defense while CSUSB hit .295 for the match, just under its season average of .300.