Volleyball 10/21/2010 11:26:44 PM CSUSB Sports Information

Eighth-ranked Coyotes turn back Cal Baptist in 4 sets

All-American Chafeh fires match-high 21 kills in victory

Priscilla Collings had seven kills in the 3-1 win over Cal Baptist.

Box Score: No. 8 Coyotes def. Cal Baptist 3-1

SAN BERNARDINO -- Cal State San Bernardino has established itself as the standard bearer in West Coast Division II volleyball over the last 10 years. Four trips to the NCAA Elite Eight and consecutive Final Four appearances over that span supply the proof.

The Coyotes demonstrated their status Thursday night over NAIA-member Cal Baptist 3-1 (25-21, 25-16, 15-25, 25-20) before a crowd of 255 at Coussoulis Arena.

All-American Jane Chafeh led the way with a match-high 21 kills and 24 game points as the Coyotes improved to 16-2 overall heading into this weekend's CCAA home matches against CSU Dominguez Hills (Friday) and Cal State L.A. (Saturday).

Earlier this week, CBU announced its intent to join the Division II ranks next season as a member of the PacWest Conference. The Lancers (23-7) rank among the best in their ranks, but the Coyotes pulled away from their opponent to win the four-set match.

Ahead 1-0, CSUSB played its best during Set 2 as the Coyotes fired off an impressive .515 attack percentage with just one error in the set.

Leading 15-14, the Coyotes pulled ahead 19-15 and then set up shop with a 3-0 spurt capped by kills from Priscilla Collings and junior All-American Samantha Middleborn.

After intermission, CBU climbed back into the match with a solid attack effort of its own in Set 4. The Lancers had just one attack error in the set and took advantage, racing to a 13-6 lead on the strength of a 10-2 run. CBU kept its lead by at least eight points down the stretch and got to within a point at 2-1.

Set four featured 11 tie scores, but two kills from Chafeh and another from Morgan Carty put CSUSB ahead 21-18 and the Coyotes stayed in front for the win.

Former Lancer Krista Hasemeyer played the entire match at setter and finished with a personal-best 45 assists. Chafeh led with two service aces and also had 11 digs. Libero Kelcie Tolan had 12 digs, while Middleborn and Megan Johnson each had four block assists.

Ingrid Carmona led the Lancers with 17 kills and 14 digs. Jelena Dragovic had seven block assists as CBU finished with 18 BAs on the night.

MATCH NOTES... The home victory was CSUSB's 37th straight win... Middleborn entered play with the nation's best attack percentage at .485. She also ranks 16th in blocks/set at 1.16... The Coyotes will play their annual Dig for a Cure match in support of breast cancer awareness tomorrow night vs. CSU Dominguez Hills.

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