California Baptist University
Humboldt State
Saturday Split
9/2/2012 3:56:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
CBU beat the tournament hosts 23-25, 25-18, 25-15, 25-16 and then dropped the nightcap 25-20, 19-25, 25-21, 27-25.
"I think we learned a lot about our team and our players today," said CBU Head Coach Branden Higa. "We played well at times, but it's obvious we're still evolving and learning. That's what this time of the season is for."
The Lancers dropped the opening set in the early game, but came back to sweep the next three and move to 2-0 on the young season.
CBU drew even at 20-20 late in the opening set, but was outscored 5-3 down the stretch with HSU getting an ace and a block to end the game.
Taking their first set loss of the season to heart, CBU came out swinging in the second grabbing a commanding 11-4 lead early. The Lumberjacks would close to within two late, but the Lancers rattled off five straight points to take the 25-18 victory.
CBU rolled in the third set, ripping 15 kills to just eight for HSU and then used a 7-1 run to close the match in the fourth.
The Lancers used a balanced scoring attack, getting 13 kills from Ingrid Carmona and Faith Steinwedell, and 12 kills from Kim McCalmont. Taylor Parker notched 42 assists in the match.
Carmona did her best to keep CBU alive with 19 kills in the late match, but the Lancers couldn't hold a lead to force a fifth set.
"Ingrid played really well all day today," said Higa. "She did a lot to keep us going in both matches."
CBU was up 19-14 midway through the fourth set, but the wildcats proceeded to score six straight points and take the lead.
The teams played neck-and-neck down the stretch, but back-to-back kills by Alex Shurtz won it for Chico State.
Parker recorded 38 assists and Carmona led the team with 18 digs. Steinwedell had 16 digs and six blocks in the match
Chico State's Jessica Leek led all players with 20 kills.
"We've got to just keep working and learning who we are and what we need to do to be successful," said Higa. "There is certainly room for growth, but this team has showed it's hungry and that there are good things to come."
CBU is now 2-1 on the year. The Lancers will be back in action next Friday and Saturday when they play in the Cal State East Bay Tournament.
