SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - Jessyca Beksa and Meagan Wright (Bonita/Bonita Vista HS) combined for 37 kills but the UC San Diego women's volleyball team couldn't hold on to a two-set lead and fell, 3-2, at 19th-ranked Cal State San Bernardino Friday night.
Scores of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) match at Coussoulis Arena were 22-25, 23-25, 25-21, 26-24 and 16-14. Suffering its third-straight loss, UCSD fell to 9-8 overall and 6-3 in the conference, while CSUSB elevated its numbers to 11-4 and 5-2.
The tight match had 24 tie scores and seven lead changes, three of those shifts coming in the fifth set.
In the deciding frame, UCSD led 3-1 early, backed by a pair of kills from Wright. CSUSB then went on a four-point run, the longest of the set, to go up 5-3. The Tritons answered with three-straight points to go back in front, but the next two scores went to the Coyotes, giving them a 7-6 advantage. UC San Diego would tie it six more times, but never gained the lead back the rest of the way. At 14-14, kills by Lauren Nicholson and Hailey Jackson ended the two-hour and 33-minute affair.
Wright finished with 23.5 points on 19 kills, three service aces and a block assist. She also had 14 digs. Beksa totaled 18 kills, the most this season for the freshman. Classmate Lindsey Chun posted a match-high 35 digs, her season-high. Jessica Rieble, also a freshman, had eight kills and seven block assists, while Rebecca Seaberry had seven kills and four blocks (one solo). Kayla Evans amassed 44 assists, her career-best.
For the Coyotes, Nicholson led all players with 23 kills. Jackson had 20 points with 12 kills, three aces and seven blocks (three solos). Abbey Vollkommer led the team on the defensive end with 16 digs.
Both teams were strong at the net as UCSD had 14 blocks and CSUSB was just behind with 13. The Coyotes hit .225 (66-27-173) and the Tritons swung at .196 (68-32-184).
Down 24-19 in the fourth, UCSD saved five set points, but couldn't complete the comeback to earn the victory.
The Tritons slipped into third place in the CCAA's South Division behind first place Cal State LA and second place Cal State San Bernardino.
UC San Diego looks to rebound Saturday night at home as it entertains Cal Poly Pomona (4-12, 0-7) at 7:00 p.m. The Broncos lost in four sets at Cal State San Marcos Friday.
Prior to the start of the match, this year's UCSD Athletics Hall of Fame inductees will be introducted and banners will be unveiled for each. The foursome will officially be inducted during a ceremony on Sunday morning.
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