Once again, it was the combination of Cristin Richards (Olympia, Wash.) and Kaytlyn Dill (Bothell, Wash.) that led the Redhawk offense. Richards finished with 13 kills and a .310 hitting percentage, while Dill collected 12 kills. Setter Jamie Mellies (Henderson, Nev.) notched a double-double with 25 assists and 12 digs, tying libero Emily Deleissegues (Aromas, Calif.) for the team lead in digs for the match.
Cal State Bakersfield (12-13) was led by Alysia Baker, who earned 12 kills in 13 attempts for a hitting percentage of .923. Lindy DeGeare led the Roadrunners with 13 kills and posted a .455 hitting percentage, and setter Barbie Unfried contributed seven kills along with 29 assists, two service aces, and seven digs. Baker, DeGeare, and Kayla Williamson each finished with three aces, with Williamson also leading the team with 11 defensive digs.
Back-to-back kills by Richards gave SeattleU the early lead in the first set, but the Roadrunners went on an 8-2 run to take control. After two more kills by Richards brought SeattleU within six at 18-12, the home team finished off the first set on a 7-2 run, closing out the set with a kill by Baker as the Roadrunners made only one attack error in the opening set.
A 10-3 run allowed the Roadrunners to open a 12-5 advantage in the second set, but Dill started to dominate for SeattleU, earning six kills and a service ace as the Redhawks closed to within one point at 18-17. SeattleU would come within one point two more times during the set, but Cal State Bakersfield was able to hold the visitors off thanks to an ace by Unfried and two kills from DeGeare.
Cal State Bakersfield was able to gain control of the third set thanks to a 10-2 run. SeattleU closed to within five points at 16-11 with two kills by Richards and one by Janet Beckerman (Bellevue, Wash.), but the Roadrunners finished off the set and the match by outscoring the Redhawks 9-2, with Lindsay Toone putting the final touch on the match with a kill.
Seattle University (6-19) will look to rebound against the same Cal State Bakersfield squad tomorrow night, Nov. 2, beginning at 6 p.m., followed by a match at UC Irvine Tuesday, Nov. 3, starting at 7 p.m. The Redhawks wrap up the 2009 season Tuesday, Nov. 10, by hosting Saint Martin's at the Connolly Center beginning at 7 p.m.