Lancers Blockers, Servers Go Off to Lead Way to Straight-Set Victory at UTRGV

Tuesday, March 2

Edinburg, Texas

10 AM

California Baptist University

4-6,4-6WAC

UT Rio Grande Valley

1-9,1-7WAC

California Baptist

UTRGV

Photo by: Andrew Shortall

Lancers Blockers, Servers Go Off to Lead Way to Straight-Set Victory at UTRGV

3/2/2021 12:05:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Andrew Shortall, Director of Athletics Communications

EDINBURG – California Baptist University volleyball bounced back in a big way to sweep The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday. The Lancers used big days from their blockers and servers to defeat the Vaqueros for the first time in straight sets (25-12, 25-19, 25-21).

CBU matched its season high with eight blocks and added seven aces and a .341 team hitting percentage to defeat UTRGV on its home floor. The Lancers improve to 5-6 overall and 4-6 in the Western Athletic Conference, while the Vaqueros drop to 1-9, 1-7.

CBU matches its season high for blocks in a match, with #⃣8⃣ here and it's a big one. It's also good for Ellie Voss' fifth block of the match.#LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/Wm4IjUXRgI
— CBU Volleyball (@CBUvolleyball) March 2, 2021

Hana Okuhara made sure the offense was efficient and finished with a team-high 23 assists, six digs, a kill and an ace. Calissa Hoye led the attack with 13 kills on a .323 percentage (13-3-31), three aces, three blocks and two digs.

☠️☠️☠️

Cali Hoye is dangerous wherever she is on the court#LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/bXTs0eYWyr
— CBU Volleyball (@CBUvolleyball) March 2, 2021

Ellie Voss played a huge part in CBU's defense Tuesday, as she had five blocks and six kills on a .364 percentage (6-2-11). Paige Johnstone recorded 14 digs and three aces, while Sydney Marks added eight kills on a .375 percentage (8-2-16) and had three digs and a block, as well.

🎴 ACE 🎴 ACE 🎴 ACE 🎴

Paige Johnstone delivers her third ace of the match to extend CBU's run to 5-0.#LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/FCTjOTJ51s
— CBU Volleyball (@CBUvolleyball) March 2, 2021

UTRGV looked to force a fourth set, as it held a 17-16 lead in set three. The Lancers ended the match on a 9-4 run, though. It all started with a 5-0 run with Johnstone at the service line. The Vaqueros pulled back within a point, 22-21, but CBU ended the match on a 3-0 run with Hoye finishing the match with back-to-back aces.

Cali Hoye finishes it from the service line, with back-to-back aces to lock up the sweep❗️ #LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/NpK4Tqzrev
— CBU Volleyball (@CBUvolleyball) March 2, 2021

UP NEXT
The Lancers face a big test next week, with Grand Canyon visiting the Van Dyne Gym for back-to-back WAC matches on Monday, March 8, and Tuesday, March 9. First serve is set for 6 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.

The Lopes have been picked to finish second in the WAC in the conference's preseason coaches poll, and has lost two matches this season – both against WAC power NM State. GCU will have had nearly two full weeks to prepare for the Lancers, as they're coming off a bye week.