DENVER – The No. 1 CSUSB Coyotes put a fitting cap on what was a historic season on Saturday night, claiming the NCAA Division II National Championship and perfect 33-0 record with a 3-1 win over No. 2 Nebraska Kearney in Denver in the National Championship Match from Metro State.
The 2019 Yotes ran the table in dominant fashion, claiming the first team national championship, any sport, in school history, and becoming just the third team in NCAA DII Volleyball history to go undefeated.
In the final match, the Yotes got out on the right foot with a 25-22 set one win, and after dropping set two in close fashion, 23-25, they snagged set three 25-17 and set four 25-20.
The final numbers saw the Yotes punch through 67 kills at a .266 clip against the defensive-minded Lopers.
Alexis Cardoza and
Stephanie Doak carried the torch with 20 kills each, as Doak sent the final ball through. In a rare occasion, the Yotes trailed in blocks, but 63 assists, a career-high 35 from
Marlee Nunley and 24 from
Mehana Ma'a made up the difference. The Yotes matched the Lopers on the back line with 67 digs, 27 from
Leilia To'omalatai.
Jalyn Hayes supported with seven kills and seven blocks,
Lydia Morohunfola had eight kills, and
Moira Murphy had five with
Mikaela Grove adding four. Finally,
Asia Clarke added nine digs and an ace as the Yotes' all-around team effort carried them once again.
The first set was close early before the Yotes put a five-point run on with Cardoza on the serve capped by an ace. The Lopers got as close as two but the Yotes went sideout to the finish. The Yotes led set two 23-22, but UNK took the final three points. The Coyotes were methodical in set three, building a big 18-10 lead. They took that lead home. Not wanting to go five, the Yotes fell behind early in set four but fought back immediately. They took the lead for good at 16-15 on a dump attack from Ma'a. The Lopers got within two, but consecutive kills from Cardoza, Murphy, and Doak ended the match.
For the Yotes it was mission accomplished. After setting out early in the season with the loftiest of goals that required near perfection, the Yotes took it a step further and were in fact, perfect.
