MERCED, Calif. - The California State University San Bernardino women's volleyball defeated the UC Merced Bobcats 3-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association opener on Thursday evening at the Greg and Cathie Hostetler Court. Set scores were 21-25, 25-22, 25-15, and 25-12.

With the win, the Coyotes improve to 6-2 and 1-0 in CCAA play.

The first set started back-and-forth but UC Merced took a lead early and would not relinquish it, winning the first set 25-21.

The Yotes turned it around in the second set, although the Bobcats kept it close, holding a 21-20 lead until CSUSB went on a 5-1 run to win the set 25-22, which was highlighted by four blocks. The Coyotes would end up with eight blocks in the set, led by four each from Allison Legates (Los Altos, Calif.) and Kacie Pedersen (Riverside, Calif.).

CSUSB continued to dominate in the third set, recording 16 kills and just one attack error in the third set. Pedersen and redshirt freshman Sarai Ross (Beaumont, Calif.) recorded six and four kills respectively in the set.

The Coyotes finished off the match with their best set, winning 25-12. Sophomore Kisa Sagiao (San Diego, Calif.) recorded six of her match-high 18 kills in the set, and only had one attack error for the entire match as well.

For the match, CSUSB hit .292 with Sagiao, Ross (14), and Pedersen (13) in double figures in kills for the match. Libero Jayden Chornomud (Canyon Lake, Calif.) led the Coyotes with 17 digs, while sophomore setter Jaiden Van Horn (Elk Ridge, Utah) dished out 39 assists.

Up next, CSUSB continues their road stretch against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Saturday. First serve is set for 5 p.m. 

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