LOS ANGELES – Camila Sanchez-Tellez and Cassie Taylor each had six kills but Cal State LA, which entered the week cracking the AVCA Top 25, proved it belonged in the national poll after taking three sets (18-25, 18-25, 23-25) from Cal State Dominguez Hills at the Golden Eagles' Gymnasium Friday night to open a home-and-home series between the crosstown rivals.
 
The Toros fall to 3-13 overall and 1-8 in the CCAA. The Golden Eagles, meanwhile, improve to 14-3, 8-1 in the conference, keeping pace with first-place Cal Poly Pomona in the championship run. The two crosstown rivals meet again at the Torodome Saturday at 5 p.m.
 
Dominguez Hills ended the night hitting just .089. The Toros recorded only 28 digs and made six total blocks. Samaya Royal and Ava Hurry each had a solo block.
 
The Toros started out with a 6-3 lead over the Golden Eagles. After Los Angeles tied the game at eight, it went on an 8-1 run to set the tone of the opener. Dominguez Hills did get to within three with at 21-18, but Cal State LA ended up winning the final four serves to win the set.
 
After Dominguez Hills cut Los Angeles' lead to 5-4 at the start of the second set, the Golden Eagles went on to win the next seven rallies to take control of the round. The Toros did have a rally going to get within three at 17-14, the Golden Eagles got on a 7-1 run for game point, which was accomplished four serves later.
 
Dominguez Hills got off to a promising start to the third set, taking a 7-3 lead. The Toros stayed up front until the Golden Eagles went on an eight-point run to move up front 12-8. Taylor helped the Toros get to within one point (12-11) after recording two kills in three rallies. Late in the set, the Toros won 5-of-7 rallies to tie it at 22. The Golden Eagles would win the three points needed to win the match.