California Baptist University
Concordia
PROVING WHO'S NO. 2
9/11/2007 7:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
IRVINE, Calif. ? If California Baptist University didn't prove they were the best team in the nation last Saturday, they certainly proved to be No. 2 after the third-ranked Lancers downed second-ranked Concordia 3-1 (30-19, 27-30, 30-21, 30-20) Tuesday.
The Lancers (8-2, 2-1 GSAC) fell behind early, but stormed back in the first game to put the Eagles (10-1, 2-1 GSAC) in an early hole. Even though Concordia rebounded in the second game, CBU made quick work of the Eagles in games three and four.
“The loss to Fresno Saturday was discouraging because I really thought we out played them,” said CBU head coach Ryan McGuyre. “I thought we put ourselves in a chance to win and we gave that match away. Tonight was a really tough match, but we were able to pull away late in the games we won.”
Verania Willis, just one game removed from a school single-match record 40 kills, led the Lancers again with 22 kills. She Fei and Yudelka Bonilla both hit double figures in kills as Fei had a season-high 18 kills while Bonilla had 10. Kayla Van Duyn led the way in assists with 53.
Angela Willis led the way on the defensive side as she totaled a career-high nine blocks as the Lancers compiled 11 team blocks. Katrina Clark recorded a game-high 28 digs while Bonilla and Verania Willis also had double-digit digs as Bonilla had 17 and Willis had 15.
“I thought the difference was how well we received their serves and how well we controlled the net,” said McGuyre. “Kat had another great performance and is playing so well right now.”
In the opening game, the Eagles jumped on CBU quickly putting them in a 15-10 rut, before the Lancers' offense ripped off a 7-1 run including two kills by Fei to take a 17-16 lead. CBU pushed the run to a 17-2 total stretch to take a 27-17 lead that CU never recovered from. Fei had five kills in that stretch alone.
The Eagles looked to regain a little life in game two after coming back from being down 11-17 to take a 21-20 lead that they never lost. However, CBU got the momentum to swing its way again in game three. After back-to-back kills by Fei that broke a 10-10 tie, the Lancers moved out to an 18-11 lead. CU cut the lead to 20-17, but CBU pulled away for a 30-22 win. The Lancers never trailed in the final game and took advantage of 13 errors by CU.
“She (Fei) had six kills in five games against Fresno so I didn't feel she was aggressive at all,” said McGuyre. “She played a lot more aggressive tonight and we have to have that from her. They (CU) started keying in on Vera so Shi had to step up for us.”
CBU returns back to Van Dyne Gymnasium Thursday night to take on top ranked team NCAA Division II in Cal State San Bernardino at 7 p.m. before hosting Hope International, Saturday, at 7 p.m. as well.
