GOLDEN, Colo. (Sept. 1, 2017) — No. 15 CSUSB took on a pair of nationally-ranked South Dakota colleges on Opening Day 2017 at the Colorado School of Mines Labor Day Challenge.
 
The Coyotes persevered with a split, losing 3-0 to No. 10 Augustana in the opener before coming back with an inspired 3-2 win over No. 22 Northern State.
 
CSUSB moves on to Saturday's play against No. 13 Wayne State (Neb.) and Colorado Mesa.
 
Augustana (L 19-25, 20-25, 23-25)
Sophomore OH Sascha Dominique led the Coyotes with 10 kills, but the Vikings featured four with double-digit kills and hit .233.
 
An inability to knock out runs hurt the Coyotes, who were just 50 percent on sideouts (37 of 740.
 
Dominique had 11.5 points with three block assists. Senior OH Lauren Nicholson had seven kills with 14 digs and freshman L Leilia To'omalatai had 13 digs.
 
Northern State (W 23-25, 25-21, 27-25, 15-25, 15-6)
Junior MB Hailey Jackson fired off five kills on six attacks in the deciding set and that paved the way for the victory over the Wolves of Aberdeen, S.D.
 
Jackson hit .500 (12/1/22), while Nicholson led with 17 hammers including a 6/0/10 effort in the second. Freshman Lydia Morohunfola reached double digits with 10 kills.
 
Jackson added six block assists for 16 points, while Nicholson clipped three BAs for 18.5 points.
 
Coach says
"Taking a split today against a pair of top-25 schools is not disappointing,'' head coach Kim Cherniss said. "We want to test ourselves against a high level of competition on the first weekend, and we have that challenge. Our freshmen have a steep learning curve, and our veterans showed their strength when needed. Lauren was great, and Hailey Jackson stepped up with amazing play late against Northern. Very impressed with our freshman libero (To'omalatai).''