September 1, 2006

Courtesy Cal State Bakersfield Sports Information Office

Box Score

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Cal State Bakersfield volleyball team began its farewell tour of the California Collegiate Athletic Association with a 30-25, 30-20, 30-28 sweep of Cal State Dominguez Hills Friday night at the Icardo Center in Bakersfield.

It was the season-opener for the Roadrunners. Cal State Dominguez Hills dropped to 3-4 and 0-1 with the loss. Bakersfield is playing one final season in the CCAA—its conference home for the past 25 years—before beginning a full Division I schedule in 2007.

Sophomore outside hitter Sarah Warner, who redshirted in 2005, posted career highs of 18 kills and 12 digs. Redshirt freshman Kate McWhorter led all attackers with a match-high .417 hitting percentage in her first collegiate match.

The Roadrunners were coming off an exhibition match sweep at the hands of NAIA titan Fresno Pacific University Wednesday night. But even losing against a team with four international stars like FPU made a positive difference in tonight's match, according to CSUB Head Coach John Price.

“With the experience and physicality of their international stars, Fresno Pacific plays at a different speed and height than we do,” said Price, who started four freshmen against Dominguez Hills. “But I think that experience made it easier for us tonight when we played a team closer to our own level.

“I was very pleased with our effort tonight. We're very young this season and there are going to be good days and bad days, but this was a great way to build a little confidence and get the season off on the right foot.”

Bakersfield trailed just twice in the match, early in game one and the first point of game three. But CSUB was able to put together enough small runs to take control before holding the Toros at arm's length in each game.

The Toros' best chance came late in game three, when they rallied back from 29-25 down to within 29-28. They had a swing to tie the match at 29, but reserve outside hitter Sophia Lopes cross-court attempt found the net and the Roadrunners held on for the win.

Middle blocker Randi Johnson led Dominguez Hills with seven kills and a match-high five blocks. Penina Suddeth and Lopes added six kills apiece.

Bakersfield returns to action Saturday night when it hosts No. 19 UC San Diego at 7 p.m. Cal State Dominguez Hills travels to play at No. 5 Cal State L.A. Saturday at 7 p.m.