Box Score: Coyotes 3, CSU Monterey Bay 0

SAN BERNARDINO -- One night after suffering a difficult 5-set loss, the Coyotes bounced back in style with a 3-0 win over visiting Cal State Monterey Bay in CCAA volleyball Saturday afternoon at Coussoulis Arena.

The Coyotes closed the first half of the CCAA season at 9-2 in league play and have guaranteed themselves no less than a share of first place at the midway point with SF State.

CSUSB dominated on the attack with a .318 attack percentage and led throughout most of the match. There was just one lead change in the second set and led from the outset in the third set as they improved their overall record to 12-7.

Freshman Brenna McIntosh led the way for CSUSB with 12 kills, just one error in 17 attack for a .647 attack percentage -- the best percentage for a Coyote this season. Fellow freshman Alexandra Torline had nine kills and senior Mercedes Winchester added eight .

Senior All-American Camille Smith dealt 34 assists and freshman Jordan Ortega helped the Coyotes cause in serving with four aces.

Sophomore libero Arielle McCullough generated a match-high 14 digs and Torline and Winchester each had four block assists in the 25-17, 25-17, 25-19 victory.

In the opening set, the teams were tied at 7-7 until the Coyotes grabbed the lead for good on a Torline kill. That began a 4-0 run and CSUSB, behind a .394 attack effort cruised for the win.

Fifteen kills and six Otters' attack errors fueled the Coyotes in the second set.

And in the final set, Winchester had a hand on three block assists and McIntosh had four kills.

The Otters (10-9, 4-7) were led by Julia Ashen's nine kills.

CSUSB opens the second half of the CCAA season Friday night at Cal State Dominguez Hills.