Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Cal State San Marcos volleyball got off to an outstanding start at the Point Loma Seaside Invitational Tournament on Friday, defeating Master's College in the afternoon and topping that with a win over #17 Vanguard University in the evening.

The Cougars improve to 11-5 in their inaugural season.

The match with Master's College was an instant classic and another highlight in a season that's already produced many for Coach Andrea Leonard and her team.  CSUSM volleyball has accomplished more in its first month of competition than anyone could have expected, but the squad was yet to come back from a two-set deficit to win a match.

That changed on Friday afternoon.  Master's got the best of the Cougars in the first two sets, winning the first by a razor-thin 28-26 margin after CSUSM had game point, and taking the second 25-21.

But the Cougars would roar back, staving off Master's and taking the third game 26-24.  CSUSM would win the fourth by a 25-23 margin, with Lindsey Mitchell recording the game-winning kill on a set from Alyssa Foster.  Riding the wave of momentum after the two close wins, the Cougars overwhelmed Master's in the fifth and deciding game, pulling as far ahead as 11-3 before winning 15-6.

Foster, the NAIA leader in assists, set a new school-best mark with 60 in the marathon match.  Taylor DeGraaf led the team with 25 kills and a strong .311 hitting percentage to go along with 21 digs.  Mitchell was second on the team with 18 kills, and Nichole May had a typically strong match on the back line, recording 17 digs.

The Cougars would top that in the evening though, defeating #17 Vanguard 3-1 to knock off yet another ranked opponent.  Coach Leonard's squad is an impressive 4-4 against ranked teams so far this season.

Full results from the Vanguard match will be posted when they are available.