SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos volleyball team (2-5) handed Western Oregon (7-1) its first loss of the 2024 season with a five-set thriller  (21-25, 25-20, 16-25, 25-15, 15-9) in the Cougar Classic finale on Saturday in The Sports Center.
 
CSUSM  3 – WOU 2 (21-25, 25-20, 16-25, 25-15, 15-9)
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Isabelle Bakken – 11 kills | .476 clip | 1 block | 2 aces
Addison Kranz – 14 kills | 1 solo block
Jessica Thomas – 12 kills
Kelli Miechowicz – 4 block solos | 3 kills | .429 clip
Gracie Zaitz – 36 assists | 11 digs | 2 aces
Gracie Beilby – 15 digs | 4 assists

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Cougars were able to keep the score close thanks to three solo blocks by Gurrola and five WOU missed serves as the Wolves took the first set 25-21.
• A 6-0 run by the Cougars put them up 10-4 which they held until the end for a 25-20 second set victory to even the match at 1-1.
• The Wolves broke away in the third set with a 14-4 run to go up 18-9 and cruise to a 25-16 win to take a 2-1 match lead.
• In the fourth set, CSUSM took a quick lead at 5-1 and later built it up to 20-9 before the Wolves tried to put together a rally. The Cougars squashed it to force a fifth set with a 25-15 win.
• After two tie scores at 1-1 and 2-2, the Cougars went up three on a Kranz kill that was proceeded by a kill and solo block by Miechowicz to make it 5-2. The Wolves closed the gap to 7-6 on a Madison Hornback kill before CSUSM put together another run at 7-1. CSUSM clinched the 15-9 victory on a block by Bakken and Zaitz.
   

QUICK HITS

• This was CSUSM's first five-set match in 2024. The Cougars closed out the 2023 regular season with three consecutive five-set matches that included a big win at Cal State Dominguez Hills.
• CSUSM outblocked the Wolves 8-3 while both teams registered five aces apiece.
• WOU missed a total of 17 serves in the match while the Cougars only missed three.  
   

THOUGHTS FROM HEAD COACH ANDREA LEONARD
"I am incredibly proud of the determination and grit this team showed tonight. We had several players step up and make plays when it mattered most. We are excited to achieve this special win over an undefeated team at the right time."
 
COUGAR CLASSIC ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Chloe Asciutoo (MVP) - WOU
Isabelle Bakken – CSUSM
Mia Dilley – CSUMB
Rylee Elias - Westmont
Maddie Finnegan - Westmont
Anya Green – Azusa Pacific
Kilinoelehua Helm - WOU
Maela Honma - WOU
Bailee Hartsook - WOU
Madison Hornback - WOU
Ella Hosfeld - Westmont
Addison Kranz – CSUSM
Kendyl MacAskill – Azusa Pacific
Alexa Shiner – Westmont
Delaney Tate – Azusa Pacific
Malia Thorrne – CSUMB
Jessica Thomas – CSUSM
 
UP NEXT
With non-conference concluded, the Cougars begin CCAA play next week when they host San Francisco State on Friday, September 20 at 5 p.m. in The Sports Center.