California Baptist University
9-4,2-0WAC
Southern Utah University
4-8,0-2WAC
Lancers Overcome Early Set Defeat to Remain Perfect in WAC Play
9/23/2023 11:38:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
CEDAR CITY--- In the final match of the opening conference road trip, California Baptist volleyball defeated the Southern Utah Thunderbirds in four sets to remain perfect in conference play.
The win for the Lancers extended their winning streak to seven and their season record to 9-4. The streak is now tied for the Lancer longest winning streak of the DI era, equaling a seven-game streak they achieved in 2018. CBU has now started 2-0 in the conference for the second time since joining the Western Athletic Conference.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Southern Utah drew first blood, winning the opening set 25-22. The Thunderbirds used a 4-1 run in the back half of the set to seal the victory and take one off the Lancers. Head Coach Branden Higa discussed what was said in the huddle after falling in the first set.
"The talk after set one was about cleaning up the errors on our side of the net. We served and hit quite a few balls out and because of that we weren't able to go on any scoring runs. We needed to play cleaner and the team responded."
CBU, as Coach Higa described cleaned up the errors and battled back with Southern Utah in the second set, with the match going back-and-forth. Neither team had distinct control of the match until a 3-1 run by CBU highlighted by a Laura Walewska and Nicole Mauser block ultimately ended the set.
The third set was more of the same with the team trading blows from start to finish. The Lancers managed to land a few more than the Thunderbirds and took the set 25-21 ended once again by a block. The fourth set was complete domination for CBU as they put together a 14-4 run to end the set and never let Southern Utah get close. The four-set win was the fourth of the season for CBU and the first-ever win in Cedar City for the Lancers.
STATISTICAL NOTABLES:
Three Lancers recorded double-digit kills in the match, including Catherine Krieger, Michalina Rola, and Alexa Niko. Rola led the charge with 13 to pair with seven digs. Niko gave the Lancers a much-needed boost off the bench with 10 kills on a .304 attack percentage.
Brianna Young was the star of the show on the defensive end, recording a season and career-high 24 digs in her first match starting at libero. Young had missed many of the prior game nursing an injury and in her first start of 2023 gave CBU a top-notch performance.
Leah Pease and Reese Reed each broke the 20-assist mark for the game, combining for 45 and chipped in 15 digs as well. As a team, CBU registered 10 more kills than the opposition and played very efficient volleyball after the first-set defeat.
"The hitters did a great job seeing the court and finding open space," said Pease. "They used every tool in their toolbox and did a great job mixing up their shots using line, cross, tips, and throws. They kept Southern Utah on their toes and broke down their defense."
NEXT: The Lancers will finally return home to face the Tarleton Texans and Abilene Christian Wildcats in Van Dyne Gym to open home conference play.
