CBU Extends Winning Streak with Road Sweep of Utah Tech
9/21/2023 8:26:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
ST. GEORGE---Â The California Baptist University women's volleyball team opened up conference play with a sweep of the Utah Tech Trailblazers.
The win marked the fourth straight season the Lancers have claimed victory in their Western Athletic Conference opener. The win was the 14th for CBU in the series history between them and Utah Tech and pushed the win streak for the Lancers to six.Â
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lancers jumped right out of the gate with aggression and energy that the Trailblazers could not keep up with, pushing an early lead to 11-8 after a 5-0 run. CBU followed up the 5-0 run moments later with an 8-2 run that propelled them to victory in the inaugural set.Â
CBU has dominated the second set all season long, posting a 10-2 record in the frame, and that did not change in this one. The Lancers led by as many as ten in the period and never trailed. Michalina Rola led the way in the set, with six of her twelve total kills recorded in the frame.Â
The final set was another comeback effort for the Lancers as the Trailblazers darted out to an early 8-6 advantage. The Trailblazers hung tough throughout the set but could not withstand the efficient offense and stifling defense of the Lancers. Rola brought home the match for CBU with a shot on the right side off a perfectly placed ball by Reese Reed.Â
STATISTICAL NOTABLES
The Lancer offense put together an efficient performance led by its three top attackers, Rola, Catherine Krieger, and Nicole Mauser, who all hit above .350 and combined for 31 kills. Reed and Leah Pease were also on their game with 34 assists and 11 digs.
Chandler Gorman also contributed mightily, with four kills on four attacks, two aces, and two blocks, all of which led the team. As a team, the Lancers held the advantage in five of the six major statistical categories, including sizable advantages in the assist and ace categories. CBU kept its errors to a minimum, with nearly half as many as the Trailblazers recorded to help seal the win.Â
The consistency the Lancers played with was on full display and was vital to the victory, according to Head Coach Branden Higa.Â
"I thought we prepared well for this match. From practice on Monday to executing the game plan tonight, the team was consistent, and it showed with how steady we played."Â
NEXT:Â The Lancers will head north to face the Southern Utah Thunderbirds in Cedar City on Saturday, September 23, at 11 a.m. PT.Â
