The Yotes (7-1), ranked 9
th in the nation, open their conference weekend on the road with games Friday and Saturday at Stanislaus State and Chico State. After a 4-0 start at the Falcon-Wildcat Invite in Seattle, WA, the Coyotes opened the D2 Regional Showcase with a gritty five set loss to nationally ranked Western Washington (#15) before dominating Biola (3-1), Northwest Nazarene (3-0), and Asuza Pacific (3-0).
Jayann DeHoog and
Alexis Cardoza were named to the West Region Showcase All-Tournament Team.
The non-conference season has not been without national accolades in both individual and team categories. On their way to a 23-4 set record in the first eight games, top season performers include three nationally ranked Coyotes:
Jayann DeHoog sits third in assists per set;
Alexis Cardoza's 23 kills against Central Washington ranks second in the country this season; and
Sascha Dominique's hitting percentage of .846 versus Seattle Pacific is tied for a third best in the nation.
As a team, CSUSB ranks third in the nation in assists per set and forth in kills per set although veteran coach
Kim Cherniss is always seeking to improve. "It's early in the season, and we're still trying to figure out our best lineup. The West Region Showcase showed us a lot about how good we can be but it also exposed some areas of vulnerability. We'll be working hard in practice this week and hopefully see that work illustrated in our play this upcoming weekend."
Coach Cherniss is eager to start conference play this weekend, "we are excited to open up CCAA play against such strong opponents. Both Chico and Stanislaus are playing very well right now and it will give us an opportunity to test ourselves in the ever competitive CCAA."
Matches begin at 7p.m. (PST)
