CSUSM Ends Season with Upset Win at CSUSB
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – For the first-time ever, the Cal State San Marcos volleyball team (9-16, 7-11 CCAA) defeated (RV) Cal State San Bernardino (15-10, 11-7 CCAA) on its own court by scores of 25-16, 18-25, 25-17, 19-25 and 15-11 on Saturday night at Coussoulis Arena.
CSUSM 3 – CSUSB 2 (25-16, 18-25, 25-17, 25-19, 15-11)
TOP PERFORMERS
Isabelle Bakken – 8 kills | .316 clip | 3 blocks
Jessica Thomas – 17 kills | .314 clip | 4 blocks
Danielle McCasland – 14 kills | 14 digs | 1 block
Addison Kranz – 17 kills | 3 blocks
Jackie Phillips – 13 digs | 7 assists | 5 aces
Gracie Beilby – 17 digs | 1 ace
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Cougars got out to a quick 12-4 lead over the Coyotes in the opening set before cruising to a 25-16 victory behind a .414 hitting percentage while holding CSUSB to .091.
- CSUSM kept the momentum going, taking a 10-5 lead in the second set before CSUSB charged back to even the set at 1-1 with a 25-18 win.
- The third set featured 14 tie scores and seven lead changes before the Cougars pulled away with a 10-2 run to end the match at 25-17 to go up 2-1 in the match.
- A CSUSB 11-3 run broke up a 10-all tie in the fourth set as the Coyotes forced a fifth set with a 25-19 victory.
- Down 2-0, the Cougars put together a 6-1 run and held the lead until the last point which was a Bakken and McCasland block to make it 15-11. CSUSM hit .474 in the fifth set with 10 kills on 19 attempts and made only one error.
QUICK HITS
- This was CSUSM's second win over the national-powerhouse Coyotes in program history.
- The Cougars' first win against CSUSB was also a five-set victory taking place on Oct. 13, 2017 in The Sports Center.
- CSUSM finished the night with a .228 hitting percentage to CSUSB's .217.
- Three Cougars tallied double digits in kills with Thomas and Kranz leading the way with 17 kills and McCasland chipping in 14.
- McCasland notched her fourth double-double with 14 kills and 14 digs.
- Bakken hit above .300 for the fourth consecutive match, finishing the match with a .316 clip.
- This was CSUSM's sixth five-setter of the season and first five-set victory on the road.
THOUGHTS FROM HEAD COACH ANDREA LEONARD
"Monumental win for these seniors and this program. I'm incredibly proud and inspired by this team who showed grit and love to beat a ranked team again. It takes a special team of special people to do great things, and they showed that tonight. CSUSB is one of the toughest teams in the country, and these seniors showed we can play with anyone. I want to thank the seniors for everything they have given to this program and for the legacy they leave."
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