MERCED, Calif. - #9 California State University San Bernardino women's volleyball returned to the win column with a 3-0 victory over UC Merced Saturday evening at Greg and Cathie Hostetler Court. Set scores were 25-14, 25-23, and 25-14.
With the victory, the Coyotes improved to 10-1 overall and 3-1 in CCAA play.
The opening set was tied at 5-5 before junior McKenna Edwards served four straight points to put CSUSB ahead 9-5. The run included her service ace, a kill by senior Allison Legates, and a block from Legates and junior Sarai Ross.
After UC Merced cut the margin to 9-6, senior Kacie Pedersen served three consecutive points to extend the lead to 13-6. CSUSB later used kills by Legates and Ross to move ahead 16-8 and maintained at least a seven-point advantage the rest of the way.
The Coyotes hit .342 in the first set with 16 kills and three errors. Pedersen and junior Kisa Sagiao recorded four kills apiece, while CSUSB held UC Merced to .079 hitting.
UC Merced opened the second set with a 4-1 lead before the Coyotes pulled even at 5-5. The Bobcats moved back ahead 8-5, but Pedersen served a 7-0 run that gave CSUSB a 12-8 advantage. The stretch included two Pedersen aces and three blocks.
CSUSB extended its lead to 21-14 before UC Merced answered with a 5-0 run. The Bobcats later pulled within one at 24-23, but Sagiao ended the set with her third kill of the frame.
Pedersen led the Coyotes with five kills in the second set, while Sagiao added three kills on five attempts. CSUSB held UC Merced to a .171 hitting percentage and totaled three blocks.
The Coyotes took control of set three with a 7-0 run that turned a 5-5 tie into a 12-5 lead. Edwards served throughout the stretch and recorded two aces, while Pedersen added a kill and Legates and Ross combined for a block.
UC Merced cut the margin to five at 16-11, but CSUSB responded with five of the next seven points. Sophomore Saniyah Sobers later served four straight points to make it 23-13, with the run including her service ace and a solo block by Legates.
CSUSB finished the third set with 14 kills on .286 hitting and held the Bobcats to nine kills and a .091 percentage.
The Coyotes recorded 43 kills and 11 attack errors for a .283 hitting percentage while limiting UC Merced to .116. CSUSB also held a 10-3 advantage in total blocks and a 6-1 edge in service aces.
Pedersen led all CSUSB players with 12 kills on .321 hitting and added a match-high 14 digs and two aces. Sagiao finished with nine kills on 16 attempts for a .500 percentage, while Ross added seven kills and four blocks.
Legates and senior M'Kera Drake each hit .444 and combined for nine total blocks. Edwards recorded 17 assists, seven digs and three aces, while junior Jaiden Van Horn added 16 assists.
The Coyotes will face Cal State Los Angeles Friday at 5 p.m. at Kellogg Arena in Pomona.
