CARSON – The Cal State Dominguez Hills volleyball team made it a close battle in the first set against Cal State San Bernardino, but the Toros couldn't overcome the top-ranked team in NCAA Division II's hot streak in a three-set defeat (22-25, 15-25, 13-25) at the Torodome Saturday night.
 
The Toros (12-8, 5-8 CCAA) still remain in the hunt for a spot to the conference tournament with four matches remaining but will need critical wins next weekend at Cal State San Marcos Friday and UC San Diego Saturday, two teams they need to catch up to as both have five losses in that column. Both matches are at 7 p.m.
 
Although the Toros had more attack attempts (112), they ended up hitting 10.7 percent due to the Coyotes (20-0, 14-0 CCAA) racking up 43 digs and 10 total blocks. Samaya Royal and Rylee Brown each had eight kills to lead the offensive effort for Dominguez Hills.
 
Reigning CCAA Player of the Year Alexis Cardoza hit 43.5 percent with 11 kills and made 10 digs for a double-double.
 
Dominguez Hills had kept pace with San Bernardino in the opening set, having tied the game 13 times and changed the lead on five different occasions. A kill from Kenadi Mitchell tied the game at 22 points apiece but the Coyotes were awarded the next three points off a kill and two ball handling errors to take the opening round.