CSUDH Volleyball Fades, Cal State Monterey Bay Wins in Four

Seaside, CA -- Freshman Ashley Clark hammered 10 kills and picked up 14 digs to lead a trio of Toros in double-figure putaways, but CSUDH's .172 hitting percentage proved too much to overcome as the Toros fell in four tough games to Cal State Monterey Bay, 30-20, 25-30, 25-30, 26-30.

The Toros, who fell to 1-12, 0-4 CCAA, started strong, riding the tough serve of Melissa Velasco, who gave CSUDH a lead they would ne'er relinquish in the opening frame. After seven-consecutive points off Velasco's serve gave CSUDH a 10-5 lead, the visitors outscored the hosts 20-15 the rest of the way to close out game one, 30-20.

CSUDH continued its momentum in game two, streaking out to a 10-4 lead on a Wells service ace. Things began to go downhill from there, however, as CSUMB used a serving run by Brittany Etchings to cut the lead to 11-8, and then a CSUDH attack error at 16-16 to give the Otters the lead for good. CSUDH got as close as 27-24 on a CSUMB attack error, but it was too little too late as CSUMB closed out game two, 30-25.

The Toros again came out fighting after the break, taking a 10-7 lead on another Otter attack error. But as was the case in game two, CSUMB caught the Toros at 10-10 on a CSUDH ball handling error, and used that momentum to expand its lead to 22-12 minutes later, all but closing the door on game three.

Up two games to one, the Otters took the early lead in game four and never looked back, surviving another Wells serving run that brought CSUDH back to within three at 29-26, eventually taking the match on the final Toro attack error of the night.

Marissa Anderson's 11 and Lauren Wells's 13 kills rounded out the Toro double-figure hitters on the night, while setter Kayleigh Spratt dished out 49 assists in the loss. Anderson and Velasco paced the defense with 12 digs apiece, while Sophia Lopes chipped in 11 digs in the effort.

The Toros return home on Tuesday, September 18, when they host Point Loma Nazarene, currently ranked No. 7 in the latest NAIA poll, in a non-conference contest, with first serve scheduled for 7:00 pm in the Torodome.

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