SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - #8 California State University San Bernardino women's volleyball earned a 3-2 victory over Cal State Los Angeles on Saturday evening at Kim Cherniss Court at Coussoulis Arena. Set scores were 23-25, 25-11, 19-25, 25-17, and 15-9.
With the victory, the Coyotes improved to 20-2 overall and 9-1 in CCAA play.
Cal State LA scored nine of the first 12 points in the opening set and later led 21-16. CSUSB answered with a 5-1 stretch, which included two kills by freshman Lilly Hartman, a service ace from junior McKenna Edwards, and a kill by junior Kisa Sagiao.
The Coyotes pulled within one at 24-23 on a block by senior Allison Legates and Sagiao, but the Golden Eagles closed the set on the next point. Senior Kacie Pedersen led CSUSB with six kills, while junior Sarai Ross added five.
CSUSB took control of the second set with an 8-0 run behind Haedyn Heyes' serve, turning a 3-1 deficit into a 9-3 lead. The Coyotes later scored 11 consecutive points with Pedersen serving to extend their advantage from 12-8 to 23-8. Ross had five kills during the run.
The Coyotes recorded 17 kills and three errors on 38 attempts for a .368 hitting percentage. Ross finished the set with six kills, while CSUSB limited Cal State LA to four kills and a -.033 hitting percentage.
The teams were separated by no more than three points through the first 28 rallies of the third set. CSUSB tied the score at 12-12 on Sagiao's service ace and moved ahead 13-12 on a Cal State LA setting error, but the Golden Eagles responded and pulled away for a 25-19 win. Cal State LA hit .556 with 17 kills and two errors in the set.
The fourth set featured eight ties and six lead changes. With the score even at 13-13, CSUSB scored four straight points, including kills by Ross, Pedersen, and Sagiao. The Coyotes later used a 5-0 run behind Heyes' serve to build a 22-14 advantage before closing the set at 25-17.
CSUSB fell behind 4-1 in the fifth set before answering with a 5-1 run. Sagiao tied the score with a service ace, and Pedersen followed with a kill to put the Coyotes ahead 6-5. CSUSB later led 9-6 and closed the match on a 4-0 run that included kills by Ross, Legates, and Pedersen.
The Coyotes finished with 63 kills and a .271 hitting percentage while holding Cal State LA to .175. CSUSB also held advantages in blocks, 9-5, and service aces, 9-7.
Ross led CSUSB with 20 kills on .421 hitting, while Pedersen recorded 19 kills, 10 digs, and two aces. Legates added seven kills on .353 hitting and five total blocks. Edwards finished with 34 assists, nine digs, and three aces, while sophomore libero Saniyah Sobers had a match-high 21 digs.
The Coyotes return to action Saturday at 3 p.m. against Cal State San Marcos at The Sports Center in San Marcos.
