ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The #16 California State University San Bernardino women's volleyball team won a five-set thriller over Central Washington University Friday evening at day two of the Central Washington Invitational inside Nicholson Arena. Set scores were 25-16, 20-25, 25-22, 23-25, and 15-13.

With the victory, the Coyotes improve to 4-2 overall on the season.

The first set was all Coyotes, as the visitors hit .357 to take an early 1-0 edge. The star of the show was senior Savannah Hoffmann (Rialto, Calif.), who had six kills without an error on eight attacks en route to CSUSB's one-sided win. Classmate Ashley Robinson (Tucson, Ariz.) had six kills of her own in the set.

The Wildcats leveled the score with a 25-20 set two victory, holding CSUSB to an attack percentage of just .074, despite three kills each from Robinson and sophomore middle M'Kera Drake (San Bernardino, Calif.).

The Yotes righted the ship in the third, take a two sets to one advantage behind another dominant showing from Robinson. She had seven of CSUSB's 13 kills to push the host Wildcats to the brink.

Central Washington refused to go down quietly however, prevailing 25-22 in a fourth set that featured nine ties and five lead changes. CSUSB again struggled offensively with an attack percentage of just .097, behind three kills each from Robinson and junior Jordan Cherniss (Colton, Calif.).

CSUSB appeared firmly in control in the early stages of the fifth and deciding set after scoring seven of the first eight points to take a commanding 7-1 lead. Central Washington stormed all the way back to take the lead at 13-12, but the Yotes secured the next three points to close out the thrilling win. Jordan Cherniss had four of CSUSB's eight kills in the fifth to help her team secure the thrilling win.

Robinson was one of three Coyotes to finish the match in double figures in kills, notching a match-high 20. She completed the double-double with 10 digs. Hoffmann posted 13 kills and seven digs in the victory, while Jordan Cherniss had 12 kills and seven digs.

Hoffmann and sophomore Allison Legates (Los Altos, Calif.) each contributed five blocks on defense, while setters Jaiden Van Horn (Elk Ridge, Utah) and Kylie Thomas (San Bernardino, Calif.) chipped in 27 and 20 assists respectively.

The Yotes will close out the Central Washington Invitational on Saturday with a showdown against Simon Fraser. First serve is slated for 1:30 p.m.
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