SAN BERNARDINO – In a match that featured about as good as collegiate volleyball can get, the No. 1 Yotes claimed their eighth Regional Championship with a thrilling 3-2 win at home over Azusa Pacific in the West Regional Final.
 
The Coyotes took set one in extra points, 26-24, staved off a late APU rally to win set two 25-22, and then played one of the best sets anyone in attendance had seen, finally falling in set three 31-33.
 
The Cougars jumped out fast in set four, taking it 25-22, but CSUSB started chipping away later in the set and used that momentum to drive home a 15-10 set five win and hoist the Regional Championship trophy.
 
"That is everything an NCAA Regional Final should be," head coach Kim Cherniss said.  "It was a really exciting match to be a part of, Azusa Pacific played outstanding, and by the end of the match we got back in our comfort zone."
 
The match was statistically very even across the board, but the Yotes found their strength again at the net, leading in blocks, 16-12, with All-Tournament honorees Jalyn Hayes and Lydia Morohunfola sending back nine and six, respectively. 
 
All-Tournament selections Alexis Cardoza and Stephanie Doak led the attack with 22 and 17 kills, and Cardoza, with 13 digs, and Morohunfola, with 10 kills, each posted double-doubles.  All-Tournament selection Leilia To'omalatai led with 23 digs.
 
In the end the Yotes hit .258 compared to .219 for APU, and made five less errors on the attack.  Moira Murphy was critical in support as well, adding eight kills, four blocks, and three digs, hitting .375.  Asia Clarke dug 14 balls on the back row.  Marlee Nunley and Mehana Ma'a had 31 and 29 assists, running the CSUSB offense.
 
For the second time in three years the Yotes are heading to the NCAA Tournament Finals where the last eight teams in the country will meet in the quarterfinals on December 12 in Denver. 
 
"We set our goals to Denver from the beginning of this season," Cardoza said. 
 
The Coyotes, 30-0 on the season, will find out their opponent tomorrow but it will most likely be Rockhurst or Saint Leo.  Check CSUSBathletics.com for all the latest updates.