SAN BERNARDINO (Oct. 21, 2016) — A five-set match that featured 32 ties and 16 lead changes found No. 18 CSUSB outlasting visiting Cal State L.A. 3-2 at Coussoulis Arena on Friday night.
 
CSUSB (14-4, 8-2 CCAA) stakes a claim for the top spot in the CCAA South with the Golden Eagles percentage points behind the Coyotes at 13-7, 9-3.
 
All-American Malika O'Brien led the way with a match-high 23 kills in the Coyotes' 25-23, 25-27, 25-17, 20-25, 16-14 victory. Lauren Nicholson had 17 kills and freshman Moira Murphy had 10. Setter Jayann DeHoog set up her teammates with 53 assists and helped out on the block with five block assists.
 
Defensively, the Coyotes had 101 digs with five players reaching double figures: Abbey Vollkommer (22), DeHoog (22), Hannah Barrett (21), Nicholson (17) and O'Brien (12).
 
Hailey Jackson had nine kills with one solo block and nine block assists. Both Murphy and fellow freshman Kaili Scott each had four block assists.
 
CSUSB hit .173 on the night and held CSULA to just .162.
 
The Coyotes built a three-point lead early in the fifth (5-2), but CSULA fought back with nine ties and four lead changes.
 
CSUSB had match point on two separate occasions, only to have CSULA tie at 14-14 and 15-15. But thanks to Jackson's ninth block assist, CSUSB led 16-15 with sideout. O'Brien then finished off the Golden Eagles with a kill and the Coyotes embarked on the floor in celebration.
 
The Coyotes complete their five-match home stand Saturday night against Cal State Dominguez Hills. First serve is 7 p.m.