Sarah Jaeckel (Littleton, Colo.) led the offense with 17 kills and two service aces, while Cristin Richards (Olympia, Wash.) notched a double-double with 15 kills and 10 defensive digs. Jordan Keller (Mukilteo, Wash.) was a dominating force at the net, collecting 11 block assists, the second-highest block total in a single match ever by a Redhawk player, plus she earned seven kills, a .700 hitting percentage, two service aces, and four digs.
"It was a good battle tonight. CSUB is a good serving team and they are very smart. Our block was big for us and we were able to put a lot of pressure on their hitters," head coach Shannon Ellis said.
In the first set, the two teams were tied at 8-8 before Seattle U went on a 9-3 scoring run, helped in part by two kills and a block assist from Keller, to open a 17-11 advantage. The Roadrunners came within four at 23-19, but back-to-back kills by Keller closed out the first set for the Redhawks.
A kill by Janet Beckerman (Bellevue, Wash.) and a Cal State Bakersfield attack error allowed Seattle U to take the lead in the second set, one that they would not relinquish. A 9-4 scoring run by the Redhawks gave the visitors a 21-12 advantage late in the set, but the Roadrunners responded with four unanswered points before two blocks and a Beckerman kill gave Seattle U the second set.
Cal State Bakersfield (0-26) went on a 5-1 run early in the third set to take a 7-4 lead, and the Roadrunners were able to keep the Redhawks at arm's length throughout the rest of the set. After a block by Beckerman and Keller brought Seattle U within two at 21-19, Cal State Bakersfield scored four of the final five points to extend the match into a fourth set.
The fourth set was a series of runs, starting with a Seattle U scoring run of 5-1 to open an 8-4 advantage. The Roadrunners scored the next four points to tie the set, and after the two teams traded points to end up in a 14-14 tie, the Redhawks scored five unanswered points to pull ahead, 19-14. Cal State Bakersfield came as close as two points down at 20-18, but Seattle U closed out the set and the match on a 5-1 run.
Beckerman contributed six kills and five total blocks, while setter Jamie Mellies (Henderson, Nev.) collected 40 assists, two kills, six digs, and five block assists. Allison Farley (Happy Valley, Ore.) added four kills, five digs, and three total blocks, and Emily Deleissegues (Aromas, Calif.) and Lani Beadle (Seattle, Wash.) led the way in the back with 11 digs apiece.
Lindy DeGeare led Cal State Bakersfield with 16 kills, plus she earned eight defensive digs, while Alysia Baker and Haleigh Haratyk finished with 11 kills each. Danielle Gong played a solid all-around match, earning 42 assists, six kills, and seven digs, and Lindsay Toone led all players with 15 defensive digs in the match.
Seattle University (14-12) will face Cal State Bakersfield again Saturday, Nov. 6, at 6 p.m. before heading back home for another 12-day break. The Redhawks will host the Independent Tournament, welcoming these Roadrunners as well as North Carolina Central to the Connolly Center Nov. 19-20.