California Baptist University
Cal State San Bernardino
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST
9/13/2007 7:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
RIVERSIDE, Calif. ? The NCAA might as well make California Baptist University an honorary member after the Lancers downed their second straight NCAA Division II opponent who was ranked No. 1 as CBU defeated Cal State San Bernardino 3-1 (28-30, 30-23, 30-25, 30-22). The Lancers (9-2) got 18 kills from Yudelka Bonilla who hit a .311 clip and had 24 digs in the win over the Coyotes (10-1). The first Division II No. 1 opponent CBU defeated was Tampa in the first game of the year. The win over the Coyotes broke a four-match losing streak to CSUSB as the last win came back in 1996.
“It was the role players who made the difference tonight,” said CBU head coach Ryan McGuyre. “I think we were so drained with the five games with Fresno and then turn around and play Concordia who was No. 2 in the country and then get a few days off and play No. 1 (NCAA D-II) again. That's three matches in a week against the top teams in the country.”
Verania Willis had 25 kills to go with Bonilla's season high in kills and assists. That was Willis' third straight match with at least 20 kills. Katrina Clark also had 24 digs while Kayla Van Duyn had 44 assists.
The Lancers fell behind 11-18 to start the opening game and trailed 23-17 before storming back with a 7-1 run to tie the game at 24. The Coyotes then used a 3-0 run to take a 27-24 lead. CBU answered back to tie the game at 27 on three CSUSB errors, but the Coyotes closed out the game to take a 1-0 lead.
CBU broke a 7-7 tie on a Verania Willis kill and didn't trail the rest of the game. Willis had 11 kills in the second game alone as CBU tied the match at 1-1. Angela Willis had three blocks, but had to leave the game with an injury to her right arm. Willis was diving for a dig when she collided with a teammate and then was escorted off the court, but was able to walk off under her own power.
“We had a choice to stay down or to respond after Angela's injury,” said McGuyre. “I'm glad our girls responded.”
CBU certainly responded rallying to capture the final two games. Bonilla broke a 22-22 tie in game three with a kill to end a long rally and then took advantage of a CSUSB attacking error to take a 24-22 lead. The Lancers then used 3-0 run as Verania Willis got two kills and Colleen Sweeney served up an ace to take a 2-1 match lead.
In the final game, the Coyotes used a pair of kills and a CBU error to take a 13-10 lead, but the Lancers got behind Mical Bell who served for six straight points including two aces as CBU took an 18-14 lead. CSUSB forced a Lancer time out after tying the game at 21, but CBU answered again and sealed the match with a 9-1 run including three kills by Willis and two aces by Bonilla.
CBU returns to Golden State Athletic Conference action Saturday in Van Dyne Gymnasium against Hope International at 7 p.m.
