California Baptist University
10-6,3-2WAC
Stephen F. Austin
16-3,5-0WAC
The Lancers Test WAC Favorite SFA on the Road
10/5/2023 6:28:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
NACOGDOCHES--- The California Baptist University volleyball team squared off against Western Athletic Conference favorites Stephen F. Austin on the road. The Lady Jacks emerged victorious in four sets to remain perfect in conference play, while the Lancers fell to 3-2.
The road loss was the first of conference play for CBU, having defeated Utah Tech and Southern Utah to begin WAC play. SFA, meanwhile, extended their home winning streak to 23 straight, with their last coming in 2021 to Sam Houston.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Lancers came out swinging, holding an early 15-11 lead into the media timeout. CBU pushed the lead out to five on two different occasions to force the Jacks to spend both of their timeouts. SFA did not back down and erased the five-point lead to bring the score to 24-23. The Jacks would commit an attack error to help the Lancers survive the comeback and take the 1-0 lead. The set win by the Lancers put a wrench in SFA's 12-set win streak in WAC play.
SFA flipped the script on the Lancers in the second set, setting the tone with an early 16-9 advantage. From that point, the Jacks finished off CBU with a 9-2 run to even the match.
The Lady Jacks and the Lancers engaged in a seesaw affair in the third set, with both teams instigating runs at each other throughout the period. SFA would emerge with the win 25-22 and take the 2-1 lead.
SFA held all the momentum in the fourth set, never letting the Lancers get going offensively as they pushed their lead to as many eight in the frame. The Lancers made a slight push in the middle, highlighted by an incredible diving dig by Reese Reed that turned into a kill for the sophomore setter. In the end, the Lady Jacks held off the Lancers to a 25-17 result in the fourth set.
STATISTICAL NOTABLES:
Going at the SFA defense was tedious work for the Lancers as the Lady Jacks came into the match with the most blocks in the nation and were fourth in opposing hitting percentage. The Lancers would hit .200 as a team and knock through 44 kills at the opposing defense, making them the only conference foe to hit .200 or above and record 40+ kills on the Lady Jacks. The Lancers were also just the fourth team to hit above .200 against SFA this season, a list that includes #18 Baylor and #23 Arizona State.
Michalina Rola once again led the CBU attack with 13, while the combination of Nicole Mauser, Eliana Posada, and Catherine Krieger combined for 23 kills. Reed posted a double-double off the bench for CBU with 14 assists and 12 digs, while fellow setter Leah Pease led the way with 23 assists.
NEXT: The Lancers will remain in the Lone Star State to take on UT Arlington on Saturday, October 7 at 10 A.M. PT.
