Toros Blocked from Victory as Visiting Otters Take 3-1 Match

CARSON-- Despite Denise Devine's 11th double-double of the season, Cal State Dominguez Hills fell in four sets (25-21, 18-25, 26-24, 25-17) to nationally recognized Cal State Monterey Bay. The Toros nearly took a 2-1 lead in a third set comeback before the Otters scored three straight to take the set. CSUDH did, however, set a CCAA-match season high in blocks with nine and a digs/set high of 20.75.

The first set was a struggle for the Toros to get into a rhythm, which was evident by the 12 attack errors, while the Otters used a well-balanced attack to take the first set 25-21. However, in the second set, CSUDH showed they could play with the formally nationally ranked Otters by taking the set and momentum quickly.

Behind five kills on seven attacks, DeVine smashed any hopes CSUMB had of a comeback by executing the offense perfectly en route to a 25-18 score. Celeste Tuioti-Mariner held down the defensive end by picking out nine digs in the set.

With momentum on their side, the Toros mounted a charge in the third while also taking advantage of CSUMB's five service errors. A kill by Abbey Prusa, who extended her streak of games with a block to eight, put the Toros within a point of taking the set. However, a well-timed timeout turned the tide and the Toros dropped the final three points to lose 26-24.

In the fourth set, the Toros kept it close for most of the way until the Otters showed some muscle and pulled away after scoring the final four points in defeating the hosts 25-17.

Leading the team in both kills and digs with 13 and 20 respectively was DeVine. Setter Olivia White also recorded a double-double with 39 assists to go along with 12 digs. Prusa led her team at the net with four total blocks.

Now 3-21 overall and 2-14 in the CCAA, CSUDH continues CCAA play Saturday at 3:00 pm against the Gators of San Francisco State in the Torodome. The match will be broadcasted online with live television at www.GoToros.com/Live.

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