California State University at Northridge
2-10,0-1Big West
Cal State Bakersfield
5-8,1-0Big West
Barron's Triple-Double Not Enough as CSUN Falls in 5 Sets at Bakersfield
9/19/2023 9:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Junior Carisa Barron notched her second triple-double of the season but the CSUN women's volleyball came up short in five sets as host Cal State Bakersfield claimed the Big West opener between the two teams Tuesday night at Icardo Center.
Barron pounded a team-high 16 kills on 39 swings to hit .333 to go with 17 assists and 12 digs to lead the Matadors. Perri Starkey added a double-double of 13 kills (.176) and 15 digs to go with four aces but CSUN fell to 2-10 overall and 0-1 in the Big West. The Matadors also slipped to 0-7 in five-set matches this season.
For the match, Bakersfield hit .241 to .164 for CSUN. The Matadors had another strong serving night, matching their season-high with 11 aces but the Roadrunners posted a 10-9 edge in blocks and a 75-64 lead in team digs.
SET 1: CSUB 25, CSUN 20
The opening set proved to be the tightest of the match as the two teams played through 11 ties and six lead changes. CSUN led by as many as three at 10-7 following a Leah Miller kill. The Matadors would hold the lead until three straight CSUB points erased a 15-13 CSUN lead, putting the hosts in front 16-15. A Bakersfield setting error pulled the Matadors even at 20-20 when the 'Runners scored the final five points.
SET 2: CSUN 25, CSUB 20
CSUN bounced back in set two as the Matadors hit .387 to pull even at one set apiece. CSUN scored the first two points and would never trail in the set. The Matadors would lead by four on several occasions before a block by Miller and Iye Okolo followed by a Miller kill opened up a 19-14 lead.
S2 l Carisa Barron puts down her 5th kill on set point and #CSUN takes the 2nd set 25-20 ... We're all even at 1 set apiece from Bakersfield#GoMatadors pic.twitter.com/Qiz8tnORZx
— CSUN Women's Volleyball (@CSUNWVB) September 20, 2023
SET 3: CSUB 25, CSUN 22
A Starkey kill late in the third set gave CSUN what appeared to be a comfortable 22-17 lead. But a Matador hitting error on the ensuing point would fuel an 8-0 Bakersfield run as the Matadors would not score again as the Roadrunners pulled out the 25-22 win.
SET 4: CSUN 26, USF 24
Needing a win to stay in the match, CSUN overcame a 20-15 Bakersfield lead to force extra points. The Matadors would engineer an 8-1 run, capped by a Kanan ace and a Sophia Jarosz block, to take a 23-21 lead. The score remained tied at 23-23 and 24-24 when a Starkey kill and a Cederlind ace gave CSUN a 26-24 win.
S4 l Laya Cederlind with the ACE on set point and #CSUN rallies for a 26-24 win ... We're going 5 sets for the 7th time this season!#GoMatadors pic.twitter.com/kWRqt7dxPE
— CSUN Women's Volleyball (@CSUNWVB) September 20, 2023
SET 5: CSUB 15, CSUN 11
Playing a fifth set for the seventh time in 12 matches this season, the Matadors were out-hit .476 to .130 in the final frame. CSUB led by two early at 5-3 before two straight Starkey aces capped a 3-0 run that put CSUN in front 6-5. The lead was short-lived as two straight Bakersfield points put the hosts in front to stay. The Matadors took advantage of a Roadrunner service error to tie the score at 8-8 but the Matadors would get no closer, falling by four at 15-11.
ACCORDING TO COACH JOHN PRICE
"Unfortunately it was the same old story tonight, too many missed opportunities. We've got a find a way to change the story."
NOTES
- In addition to Barron and Starkey, CSUN libero Kelsey Knudsen also posted double figures in digs with 12 to go with four assists and one ace.
- Sophomore Kaia Kanan came off the bench to lead the Matadors with a career-high 21 assists along with four digs and one ace.
- Layla Cederlind had a season-high three aces.
- With the win, Bakersfield has claimed two straight in the series and improved to 14-5 all-time against the Matadors at home. The two teams will meet again in Northridge on Oct. 26.
UP NEXT
CSUN continues the opening week of Big West play as the Matadors travel to Hawai'i for a Sunday match. First serve at SimpliFi Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center is scheduled for 8 p.m. PDT. The match will stream on ESPN+.
#GoMatadors
