California Baptist University
10-4,3-0WAC
Tarleton State University
11-6,2-1WAC
The Lancers Expand Their Win Streak to Eight; Coach Higa Records his 200th Win
9/28/2023 9:45:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
RIVERSIDE--- In their home conference opener, the California Baptist University volleyball team defeated the Tarleton Texans in four sets to remain perfect in WAC play. The Lancers are now also perfect at home with a 3-0 record, defeating Nevada and Oregon State earlier in the month. The home-court advantage for the Lancers is real and has been a constant for the program.
The Lancers corral the Texans in four sets to remain perfect in WAC play!! 🔥🏐#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/rSs2SfCXWH
— cbuvolleyball (@CBU_volleyball) September 29, 2023
"The fans have made the home games so much fun; packing out Van Dyne is a goal we have every year, and we have consistently done that the past three matches. It hypes us up while also presenting the opponents with the intimidation factor," said setter Leah Pease.
After hitting the road for 11 of the first 13 games, Head Coach Branden Higa said the energy from the more than 900 fans was crucial for the team's success tonight.
"It's great to be back at home, especially when Lancer Nation shows out like they did tonight. Their energy and support played a big part in the win."
The win secured the longest winning streak in the DI era for CBU and rounded their record to 10-4. The win was also the 200th in the career of Coach Higa, becoming the second coach in program history to achieve the mark.
❗️2🏐🏐 Wins❗️
— cbuvolleyball (@CBU_volleyball) September 29, 2023
With the win, Coach Higa has reached the 200-win milestone, becoming the second head coach in program history to do so!! 👏🎊#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/sQqvFfl6gH
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The opening set went Tarleton's way, with the Texans firing on all cylinders to the tune of a 10-3 start and a 25-16 result. The Lancers, as they have done so well this season, bounced back in a big way in the second set and unleashed a tidal wave of offense. CBU jumped out quickly to the lead and doubled up the Texans at 20-10. Tarleton would make a small run, but kills by Laura Walewska and Mia Jerue promptly extinguished it and gave the Lancers the 25-20 victory.
The third set was dominated by the Lancer offense and scrappy defense, resulting in the Lancers never trailing in the set. CBU expedited the proceedings with a 4-2 run to end the period, highlighted by a set-ending kill by Michalina Rola.
Misia corrals her sixth kill of the evening off another dime from Leah. 🏐⚡️#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/Ubze187HtL
— cbuvolleyball (@CBU_volleyball) September 29, 2023
The final set was tight and saw both teams go on scoring runs to take slim leads. The frame had eight ties and several lead changes as neither team gave the other an inch. The Lancers broke the stalemate with a 4-0 run to win the set, including two aces by Reese Reed, a kill by Nicole Mauser, and a team-leading 14th kill by Rola.
STATISTICAL NOTABLES:
Three Lancers ended with double-digit kills, led by Rola with 14 and Masuer with 12. Laura Walewska, the team's leading blocker, gave CBU an enormous offensive boost with ten kills on a .571 attack percentage and was third Lancer in double figures. Eliana Posada made her CBU and collegiate debut in the match and gave the Lancers an injection of energy on both ends of the court. Posada recorded seven kills and three total blocks in the game at opposite hitter.
Eliana balling out in her first action as a Lancer. 🔥🏐#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/a0ttdGjgvf
— cbuvolleyball (@CBU_volleyball) September 29, 2023
Coach Higa said Posada's performance was vital to the victory and will elevate the offensive gameplay of the team moving forward.
"It was great to finally see her take the court for us tonight. Her offense and blocking came in big for us, especially in the third and fourth sets. It really makes our offense tough to deal with because we can put so many threats on the court."
The setter combo of Pease and Reed was another big factor in the victory, combining for 49 assists and 13 digs. Libero Brianna Young followed up a career performance from last week with another stellar game, posting 19 digs.
NEXT: The Lancers will remain in Riverside and take on the Abilene Christian Wildcats at noon on Saturday, September 30.
