Toros Fall in Five-Set Thriller at Cal State L.A.

Box Score

LOS ANGELES -- That's why they play the game. Coming into tonight's cross-town rivalry at Cal State L.A. with the two teams on opposite ends of the California Collegiate Athletic Association standings, Cal State Dominguez Hills gave the Golden Eagles everything they had and then some before the hosts forged a come-from-behind 25-18, 21-25, 30-32, 25-18, 15-8 win.

Alijah Gunsaulus led the Toros with 17 kills, with Hailey Smith (pictured) adding 15 putaways in the loss as CSULA moved into first place in the CCAA in moving to 8-2, 6-1 CCAA, half a game in front of idle CS San Bernardino.

Cal State Dominguez Hills (1-10, 0-7 CCAA) battled through six set points in an incredible third set and ultimately prevailed, 32-30, to take a 2-1 lead. The Toros then jumped out to a 13-9 lead in the fourth set and led as a late 15-14 before the Golden Eagles were finally able to gain back control of the match.

The fifth set was tied at 8-8 before the Golden Eagles won the final seven points of the match, six of them behind the serving of Kelsey Molnar.

The difference in the match ultimately came down to blocking. The Golden Eagles had a 12-2 edge in blocks over the final two sets and a 21-3 advantage for the match. Cal State L.A.'s 42 block assists were a new program single-match record.

Iona Lofrano overcame a slow start and had a team-high 15 kills for the Golden Eagles, while Loreal Carter had the second triple-double of her career with 14 kills, 10 digs and 10 blocks. Mia Alcaraz had a team-high 11 blocks and JamieAnn Bero had 10 blocks and just missed a double-double with nine kills.

Smith added 13 digs to give her a double-double while Taryn McCullouch hammered 10 kills and Leilani Martinez dug a match-high 23 balls.

After splitting the first two sets, the Golden Eagles and Toros put on quite a show during a dramatic third set. After trailing, 20-12, the Golden Eagles stormed back and pulled to within 20-18, only to see Cal State Dominguez Hills regain the momentum and take a 24-20 advantage.

The Golden Eagles then scored the next five points to take a 25-24 lead, getting to set point after an ace by Silveyra. The Toros staved off six straight set points, the final one after a kill by Dana Brown to tie it at 30-30. A kill by Gunsaulus and an attack error gave the Toros the set.

Cal State Dominguez Hills then put a major scare into the Golden Eagles in the fourth set, moving out to leads of 10-6 and 13-9 and leading for the last time at 15-13. Cal State L.A. took the lead for good after back-to-back blocks by Bero and Carter. After the Toros cut it to 17-16, the Golden Eagles got a block by Bero and Lofrano, an ace from Carter, another kill by Lofrano and an attack error to open up a 22-16 lead. A block by Molnar and Bero got the Golden Eagles to set point and a service error ultimately ended the set.

The fifth set was tight early and a kill by Smith tied it at 8-8. Cal State L.A., though, then scored the next seven points to take the match. An attack error, a block by Carter and Alcaraz, a kill by Silveyra, two straight blocks by Carter and Alcaraz, another kill by Silveyra and a Cal State Dominguez Hills attack error finally ended the match.

CSUDH, still in search of its first league win, travels to Chico State on Friday as the front end of a weekend roadtrip.

(Courtesy CSULA)

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Players Mentioned

#5 Dana Brown: S/OPP; 6' 0"; Junior

#7 Alijah Gunsaulus: OH; 5' 10"; Junior

#18 Taryn McCullouch: MB; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#14 Hailey Smith: OH; 5' 11"; Freshman

#19 Leilani Martinez: DS/L; 5' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#5 Dana Brown
: 6' 0"; Junior
: S/OPP

#7 Alijah Gunsaulus
: 5' 10"; Junior
: OH

#18 Taryn McCullouch
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: MB

#14 Hailey Smith
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: OH

#19 Leilani Martinez
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: DS/L

Cal State Dominguez Hills Athletics

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Toros Fall in Five-Set Thriller at Cal State L.A.

Players Mentioned

#5 Dana Brown

#7 Alijah Gunsaulus

#18 Taryn McCullouch

#14 Hailey Smith

#19 Leilani Martinez

Players Mentioned

#5 Dana Brown

#7 Alijah Gunsaulus

#18 Taryn McCullouch

#14 Hailey Smith

#19 Leilani Martinez