Thursday, March 31
Riverside
7:00 PM
California Baptist University
3
vs
0
Hope International
SENIOR SMASH
4/1/2011 4:25:00 AM | Men's Volleyball
RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- An overhand smash by Levi Cabral at the end of the opening game set the tone for the entire night as No. 1 California Baptist University dominated its final regular-season home match against No. 10 Hope International.
Cabral ripped a ball almost straight down over the top of the Royal block and into the hardwood, nearly bouncing it into the rafters of the Van Dyne Gym to seal a 25-15 game one win. CBU never looked back, opening the second set with a 10-2 run en route to a 25-12 win. The Lancers would close with a 25-20 win for the 3-0 victory.
Fittingly on senior night, senior setter Blair Penner dumped the final kill of the match, closing out the regular season for CBU with a 22-5 record. Hope International falls to 11-16.
“We have a lot of great players playing their final home matches and it was good we could get them all out there to showcase their talents,” said Head Coach Ryan McGuyre. “We played really well and that made it fun. This team is really clicking right now.”
Penner, CBU's career assist leader, dropped 42 assists in his three sets of work and also led the team with six blocking assists. Mike MacNeill was one of six Lancers to hit at least .500 on the match, posting eight kills on 16 attempts without an error. MacNeill, who is second on CBU's career aces list, served a season-high six aces on the day.
Also playing in their final matches in the Van Dyne Gym, Mohamed Khattab was second on the team with nine kills, Ricky Brazee hit .636 en route to seven kills and Matthew Walsh was one of three players to lead the team with six digs, to go along with his three kills.
“This has been a great team and a great experience this season so far,” said Penner. “We're actually a pretty young team, but the guys have matured and grown together really fast. I am so glad I came back to play with these guys. It's been a great ride so far.”
CBU hit .506 in the match and were led by Cabral's 13 kills on 19 attempts for a .684 hitting percentage. CBU out-blocked the Royals 11-3 and posted 47 kills to just 23 for Hope International.
The Lancers closed out a perfect home record with the win, going 15-0 in the Van Dyne Gym over the 2011 campaign.
CBU heads into the NAIA National Invitational on a 12-match winning streak.
“This team is definitely hitting their stride right now and playing some of the best volleyball of the season,” said McGuyre. “We will be prepared mentally and physically come nationals. The chemistry is good right now and we have time to work on some of the x's and o's before we head out there.”
The NAIA National Invitational will be held April 14-16 in Davenport, Iowa. The tournament pairings and schedule will be released Sunday, April 3.
The Lancers are the defending NAIA champions and are looking for their eighth title overall. It is CBU's final season in the NAIA, as the school has been accepted into NCAA Division II candidacy year one next season.
Cabral ripped a ball almost straight down over the top of the Royal block and into the hardwood, nearly bouncing it into the rafters of the Van Dyne Gym to seal a 25-15 game one win. CBU never looked back, opening the second set with a 10-2 run en route to a 25-12 win. The Lancers would close with a 25-20 win for the 3-0 victory.
Fittingly on senior night, senior setter Blair Penner dumped the final kill of the match, closing out the regular season for CBU with a 22-5 record. Hope International falls to 11-16.
“We have a lot of great players playing their final home matches and it was good we could get them all out there to showcase their talents,” said Head Coach Ryan McGuyre. “We played really well and that made it fun. This team is really clicking right now.”
Penner, CBU's career assist leader, dropped 42 assists in his three sets of work and also led the team with six blocking assists. Mike MacNeill was one of six Lancers to hit at least .500 on the match, posting eight kills on 16 attempts without an error. MacNeill, who is second on CBU's career aces list, served a season-high six aces on the day.
Also playing in their final matches in the Van Dyne Gym, Mohamed Khattab was second on the team with nine kills, Ricky Brazee hit .636 en route to seven kills and Matthew Walsh was one of three players to lead the team with six digs, to go along with his three kills.
“This has been a great team and a great experience this season so far,” said Penner. “We're actually a pretty young team, but the guys have matured and grown together really fast. I am so glad I came back to play with these guys. It's been a great ride so far.”
CBU hit .506 in the match and were led by Cabral's 13 kills on 19 attempts for a .684 hitting percentage. CBU out-blocked the Royals 11-3 and posted 47 kills to just 23 for Hope International.
The Lancers closed out a perfect home record with the win, going 15-0 in the Van Dyne Gym over the 2011 campaign.
CBU heads into the NAIA National Invitational on a 12-match winning streak.
“This team is definitely hitting their stride right now and playing some of the best volleyball of the season,” said McGuyre. “We will be prepared mentally and physically come nationals. The chemistry is good right now and we have time to work on some of the x's and o's before we head out there.”
The NAIA National Invitational will be held April 14-16 in Davenport, Iowa. The tournament pairings and schedule will be released Sunday, April 3.
The Lancers are the defending NAIA champions and are looking for their eighth title overall. It is CBU's final season in the NAIA, as the school has been accepted into NCAA Division II candidacy year one next season.
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