TURLOCK, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos volleyball team saw its 2018 campaign come to an end on Thursday afternoon on the campus of Stanislaus State. The No. 4 South Division seed Cougars fell in four close sets to No. 1 North Division Seed Cal State East Bay in the quarterfinal round of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championship.
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Cal State East Bay 3 – CSUSM 1 (25-23, 25-23, 20-25, 25-23)
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TOP PERFORMERS
Olivia Aguilar – 19 kills | .304 attack percentage | 17 digs
Maddy Newcombe – 15 kills | 17 digs | 5 blocks | 3 aces
Courtney Hulla – 12 kills | .323 attack percentage
Aleese Wheaton – 29 assists | 16 digs
Haley Montgomery – 15 digs
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HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Cougars racked up seven unanswered points in the opening set to force a CSUEB timeout at 17-11 before falling 25-23 to the Pioneers. CSUSM outhit the Pioneers .257 to .174 while recording four blocks to CSUEB's one block.
- Once again, the Pioneers put together a late run to claim the second set at 25-23.
- Leading 10-9, CSUSM went on a 10-1 run and held off another late Pioneer surge to take the third set at 25-20.
- Trailing 22-11, the Cougars rallied back to cut the deficit to 24-23 before falling in the fourth set, 25-23.
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QUICK HITS
- CSUSM ends its season at 13-13 while the Pioneers improved to 16-11 and will face Cal Poly Pomona in the semifinals on Friday.
- For the 16th time this season, the Cougars won the block battle with 10 to CSUEB's eight.
- Newcombe tallied her eighth double-double of the season with 15 kills and 17 digs.
- Aguilar recorded season-bests with 19 kills and 17 digs while registering her fourth double-double of 2018.
- CSUSM has played seven matches against nationally ranked teams in 2018, concluding the regular season with the tenth-toughest schedule among NCAA Division II schools and the toughest in the CCAA.
