SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - The UC San Diego women's volleyball team found itself on the losing end of a back-and-forth, five-set match Saturday night at eighth-ranked Cal State San Bernardino. Scores were 25-23, 22-25, 25-12, 17-25 and 15-6 from Coussoulis Arena.
The loss dropped UCSD to 8-5 overall and 6-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). CSUSB, which had lost its previous two matches, improved to 9-4 and 6-3. Both squads are now tied for third place in the league.
The Tritons hit a measly .094 (49-33-170) on the night, their second-lowest attack percentage of the season and just the second time they have hit under .100 all year.
On the other side of the net, the Coyotes swung at .265 (60-20-151) and held advantages in blocks (13.5 to 9) and digs (72 to 65). San Bernardino gave away 15 points with errors from the service line.
"We couldn't stop either of San Bernardino's middles tonight," said UCSD head coach Ricci Luyties. "They were doing anything they wanted to against our defense."
Danielle Dahle (La Mesa/Grossmont HS) led UCSD with 17 kills, but hit just .090 (17-11-67). Caitlin Brenton recorded a double-double with 11 kills and 11 digs, while Amanda Colla (Carlsbad/San Dieguito Academy) had a team-best 14 digs. Heidi Sierks and Kameron Cooper each had six blocks.
Alexandra Torline led all players with 19 kills and Tori May finished with 18 for San Bernardino. Arielle McCullough had a match-high 22 digs and Brenna McIntosh tallied eight blocks.
The second set was the lone frame that saw any lead changes. Cal State San Bernardino led the third and fifth sets from beginning to end, while UC San Diego led the fourth wire-to-wire.
The Coyotes jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the deciding set and the Tritons were never able to climb back in it. CSUSB scored five of the final six points of the match.
"We played well at times, but couldn't overcome our slow start in set five," said Luyties.
It was the second-straight five-set affair for both teams. UCSD defeated Humboldt State Thursday, while CSUSB lost against Cal Poly Pomona the same night.
Following four consecutive road matches, UCSD returns to RIMAC Arena to host Cal State Monterey Bay on Oct. 10 and Cal State East Bay on Oct. 11. The match against the Otters will be the annual Reis Cup contest, while the UCSD Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2014 banners will be unveiled during the tilt against the Pioneers.
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