SEASIDE, Calif. - Cal State Monterey Bay took an early 10-5 lead in the fifth set and held off a furious Cal State San Bernardino rally to defeat the 10
th-ranked Coyotes 3-2 in a CCAA conference matchup in Seaside.
It was the Otters' first-ever win over the vaunted Coyotes program after 32 straight losses. CSUSB, a winner over San Francisco State 3-1 in its conference opener Friday night, is now 7-2 overall and 1-1 in the CCAA.
The loss snapped a 48-game CSUSBÂ CCAA win streak that includes three CCAA tournament titles by the Coyotes since their last loss in conference play to Cal Poly Pomona on Oct. 12, 2018.
Tied 2-2 entering the fifth set Saturday night at the Kelp Bed gym, CSUMB jumped off to a 10-5 lead but the Yotes clawed back on two kills each by
Melissa Garciglia and
Lydia Morohunfola to make it 10-9. CSUSB tied the set at 12 all on a service ace by
Asia Clarke.
A set error and a kill by the Otters' top hitter Lauren Reeves gave the Otters match point at 14-12, but Morohunfola's kill made it 14-13. However, Ashley Vanderpan, who led the Otters with 35 assists from her setter position, produced the match-winning kill off an assist by Kaylie Honberger.
Sophomore
Savannah Hoffman led the CSUSB offense with 17 kills on .405 hitting while Garciglia notched 10 kills and 18 digs. Setter
Marlee Nunley assisted on 32 kills while Makena Overby dug out 21 balls hit her way. Clarke finished with a team high five service aces.
Morohunfola continued her solid play in the middle with 10 kills on .476 hitting with four block assists. In nine matches this season, she has 46 blocks (1.18 blocks per set) and 79 kills while hitting .407.
The Coyotes hit just .184 for the match, well below their normal production and made 17 service errors that may have contributed to the loss.
The Yotes will host Sonoma State at 7 p.m. Friday in Coussoulis Arena in their 2022 CCAA home opener. Cal Poly Humboldt will be the opponent Saturday night in the arena. Join us for CCAA action live or on the CCAA Network at ccaa.network.com.Â
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