MERCED, Calif. – The University of California, Merced women's volleyball team dropped a three-set decision to No. 9 Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday night inside the Joseph Edward Gallo Gymnasium.
Natalie Riley led the Bobcats (4-6, 1-2) with 13 kills and 12 digs for her second double-double of the season.
Callie Neufeld had nine kills and eight digs.
Kyra Miller recorded 24 assists, three digs, two kills, and one service ace.
Jazmine Banks tallied a three-set career-high 20 digs to go along with three assists.
The first set had three early lead changes with the latter being part of a 5-0 Coyotes run. CSUSB's extended run was 12-4 to create sizeable separation, leading 16-8. The Bobcats, who couldn't get any closer than seven, fell behind by double figures at 23-13 in the set one loss. CSUSB recorded a .342 hitting percentage in the frame while holding the Bobcats to a .079 mark.
The Bobcats held a few different three-point leads early in the second set, including at 8-5 after back-to-back-to-back kills from Neufeld. However, CSUSB responded with a 7-0 run by scoring a variety of different ways. The Yotes built their lead to six points at 19-13 and seven points at 21-14. UC Merced managed a 5-0 burst to pull within two, and then took advantage of CSUSB miscues to get within a point at 23-22. It was also a one-point game at 24-23 after a Riley kill, but CSUSB answered with set point on the next rally to go up 2-0 in the match.
Cal State San Bernardino never trailed in the third set on its way to completing the sweep. Tied 4-4, the Yotes exploded on an 8-1 run and 12-4 extended run that proved to be too much for the Bobcats to overcome. The Yotes got to 20 points while leading 20-13 and went up by ten points at 23-13.
Up next, UC Merced will start a four-match road trip at Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday, September 25. First serve from the Torodome in Carson, Calif., is scheduled for 5:00pm.
