SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - #12 California State University San Bernardino returned home with a 3-0 victory over Cal Poly Humboldt Friday evening at Kim Cherniss Court at Coussoulis Arena. Set scores were 25-20, 25-9, and 25-19.
With the victory, the Coyotes improved to 12-2 overall and 4-1 in CCAA play.
The teams split the first four points before junior McKenna Edwards served five straight to give CSUSB a 7-2 lead. Edwards recorded four consecutive service aces during the run, which also included a block by senior Allison Legates and freshman Lilly Hartman.
CSUSB later extended its advantage to 12-4 behind consecutive aces from Legates and led 14-5 after junior Jaiden Van Horn added another ace. Cal Poly Humboldt cut the margin to three at 22-19, but junior Sarai Ross ended the run with a kill before junior Kisa Sagiao closed the set.
The Coyotes recorded seven service aces in the opening set and sided out on 13 of Humboldt's 21 serves. Senior M'Kera Drake led CSUSB with four kills on eight attempts, while Sagiao added three.
CSUSB scored three straight points to take a 4-1 lead in set two before Edwards served a 4-0 run that increased the margin to 9-2. The Coyotes later moved ahead 16-5 following a Legates ace and a block from Ross and Drake.
Leading 20-9, CSUSB scored the final five points behind Edwards' serve. The closing stretch included her fifth ace of the match, a kill by Legates and two blocks involving Hartman.
The Coyotes hit .286 in the second set with 10 kills and two errors. CSUSB totaled five blocks and four aces while holding Cal Poly Humboldt to six kills and a -.030 hitting percentage.
CSUSB opened the third set with a 6-1 run that included a Sobers ace and three blocks. The Coyotes extended their lead to 15-8 on an Edwards kill before Humboldt pulled within four at 17-13.
Ross ended the Humboldt run with a kill and added three more during the closing stretch. CSUSB recorded a match-high 18 kills and hit .353 in the final set while holding the Lumberjacks to .156.
The Coyotes finished with 40 kills on .266 hitting and limited Cal Poly Humboldt to 29 kills and a .144 percentage. CSUSB also held advantages in service aces, 12-0, and total blocks, 9-4.
Ross and Sagiao led CSUSB with eight kills apiece. Sagiao hit .462 on 13 attempts, while Ross finished at .250. Senior Kacie Pedersen added seven kills and eight digs, and Drake recorded six kills on .333 hitting.
Legates finished with four kills on eight swings, three aces and a match-high seven blocks. Edwards recorded 12 assists, five aces, three kills on three attempts and six digs, while Van Horn distributed a team-high 15 assists. Sophomore libero Saniyah Sobers added 10 digs and an ace.
The Coyotes return to Kim Cherniss Court on Saturday for a 7 p.m. match against Cal State Dominguez Hills. CSUSB will unveil its 2025 CCAA Tournament championship banner before the contest.
