Box Score Only hours after a 3-set triumph in the program's debut against Holy Names University, the Cougars took the court again against Eastern Oregon and once again came out victorious. CSUSM took the tightly contested match 25-17, 22-25, 21-25, 25-17, 15-12, roaring back after being down a set and showing a lot of moxie in the process.
Coach Andrea Leonard was very proud of her team after the lengthy match for their display of resiliency, character, and consistency. “The ladies were able to maintain focus and step up big in crucial moments,” and feels that today's matches were a “sign of good things to come.” She also praised the team's balance and teamwork, as 5 different Cougars recorded double digit kills.
The Cougars got off to a slow start in the first set falling behind 3-7 before a big spike by freshman Kara Barkdoll got the Cougars going. After a couple of kills by junior outside hitter Lindsey Mitchell, who led the team with 26 kills, the Cougars took a 9-8 lead in the set and never looked back, taking the set 25-17.
The second set saw a change of pace, as Eastern Oregon slowed the game down which led to some extensive rallies. The score was close throughout, and was tied at 20-20 before the Mountaineers went on a run to close out the set. The Cougars came out firing in the 3rd set taking an 8-3 lead and hoped to regain control of the match, but Eastern Oregon rallied back yet again in another tightly contested set with bodies diving all over the floor, winning 21-25.
The Cougars made a couple of adjustments in the fourth set to neutralize Eastern Oregon's Katie Showers and Alisha Crane up front, and after the Mountaineers closed to with 13-11, the Cougars finished the set on a 12-6 run, winning 25-17 and forcing a fifth set.
The fifth set went back and forth and the score was knotted 9 different times, and the Cougars scrappily dove all over the floor to extend points. Leading the way in digs for the match were juniors Nichole May and Teanna Robinson, who ended up with 26 and 23, respectively. After a kill by freshman Kelli McLin put CSUSM ahead 13-12, the Cougars won the marathon match when a Mountaineer spike landed in the net.
The Cougars (2-0) will now face 19th ranked Oklahoma Baptist in their first match Friday.
