California State University at Northridge
CSU Bakersfield
CSU Bakersfield Downs CSUN 4-1 in Dual Match
3/19/2015 12:00:00 AM | Beach Volleyball
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - The duo of Nada Dragovic and Alia Casino picked up its fourth win of the season but that was the lone bright spot for the CSUN Sand Volleyball team in a 4-1 loss to CSU Bakersfield Thursday at the Matador Sand Volleyball Facility.
The Matadors slipped to 2-5 overall this season while the team of Dragovic and Casino upped their record to a team-best 4-3. Playing in the No. 5 match, Dragovic and Casino swept Luiza Martins and Star Tucker-Campbell by the scores of 21-14, 21-14.
"Alia does a good job of controlling the ball and putting Nada in a position to be successful," said CSUN head coach Jeff Stork. "They've been a little more steady than some of the other teams due to their ball control which is key in sand volleyball."
The rest of the matches all went to the visitors in straight sets as the Roadrunners posted wins at No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 as well as the extra match at No. 6.
In the No. 1 match, Mariah Alvidrez and Molly O'Hagen handed CSUN's duo of Casey Hinger and Kelcie Randazzo a 21-16, 21-19 setback. At No. 2, Sydney Haynes and Danika Youngblood dominated the first set against Mahina Haina and Katie Sato 21-11 before holding on to win set two 21-18.
Julie Haake and Nicolette Pinkney made things difficult for Sara Little and Sophie Flemion at No. 3 before falling by identical 21-19 scores. At No. 4, CSUB's Kelsee Sawyer and Hazel Perrens defeated Cieana Stinson and Stephanie Serna 21-15, 21-14.
"It was frustrating today, the same thing that happened the last time we played them," added Stork. "It all comes down to execution and sticking to the game plan. We need to be more committed to the game plan going in and then identify things if that game plan isn't working."
CSUN's next team dual is next Friday, Mar. 27 as the Matadors travel to Tucson, Ariz. to take on Nebraska in the first of three matches in the desert. This weekend, Hinger and Randazzo will compete in a pairs tournament in Hawai'i. The CSUN duo will play in The "Dad" Center Founder's Cup in Waikiki March 21-22, a tournament in honor of George David "Dad," the inventor of beach volleyball.
Records: CSU Bakersfield (4-1), CSUN (2-5)
No. 1 - Mariah Alvidrez/Molly O'Hagen (CSUB) d. Casey Hinger/Kelcie Randazzo (CSUN) 21-16, 21-19
No. 2 - Sydney Haynes/Danika Youngblood (CSUB) d. Mahina Haina/Katie Sato (CSUN) 21-11, 21-18
No. 3 - Sara Little/Sophie Flemion (CSUB) d. Julie Haake/Nicolette Pinkney (CSUN) 21-19, 21-19
No. 4 - Kelsee Sawyer/Hazel Perrens (CSUB) d. Cieana Stinson/Stephanie Serna (CSUN) 21-15, 21-14
No. 5 - Alia Casino/Nada Dragovic (CSUN) d. Luiza Martins/Star Tucker-Campbell (CSUB) 21-14, 21-14
Order of finish: 4,5,6,1,2*,3
No. 6 - Megan Johnson/Eryn Riley (CSUB) d. Lauren Conati/Brianna Johnson (CSUN) 21-12, 21-16
