Missed opportunities cost Runners
By Taylor Gombos
Staff Writer
Utayo2003@yahoo.com
Volleyball vs. San Diego State - CSUB sophomore outside hitter Lindy DeGeare (No. 5) reacts as a misplayed serve gives San Diego State match point to win the fourth set. The Aztecs defeated the Roadrunners in four sets, 3-1.
Despite fighting hard and having members of the 1989 CSUB national championship volleyball team on hand, the CSUB volleyball team still lost to San Diego State 25-17, 22-25, 25-21, 26-24 Oct. 24 at the Icardo Center.
Down two sets to one, sophomore outside hitter Lindy DeGeare nearly helped the Roadrunners win the fourth set as she had two kills which made it 24-23 in favor of the Aztecs. But the overall effort fell short as San Diego State's Andrea Hannasch served up an ace to win the match for the Aztecs 26-24.
"We didn't come out ready to play," DeGeare said. "Our focus wasn't there in the beginning and it just took us a while to start coming back with the confidence we needed to win."
'Runners coach John Price felt like his team was unprepared to play.
The 'Runners held an 18-16 lead midway through the third set but allowed five straight points and found themselves down 21-18. The Aztecs took advantage and won the set 25-21.
"I didn't feel like we were real sharp and I didn't feel like we showed up with a lot of energy," Price said. "We came out really flat. We were still fighting. We just weren't ready to play. It was a close match. It came down to not making a couple plays that we usually make and that was the frustrating part."
The 'Runners started the first set down 6-5 and gave up six-straight points and never recovered as they lost the set 25-17.
The 'Runners found themselves down 12-6 in the second set but fought their way back to tie the score at 20. The 'Runners completed the comeback behind three-straight points from senior setter Barbie Unfried and two-straight points by DeGeare to win the set 25-22.
The 'Runners have lost their last three games, all of which were at home.
DeGeare led the team with 20 kills, reigning NCAA Division I Volleyball Independent Player of the Week Kayla Williamson had a team-high 28 digs and Unfried had 43 assists to lead the team.
After the second set, members of the 1989 Division II national championship team came onto the court and were honored with a tribute video and a ceremony to celebrate 20 years since they won the title. The 1989 team finished with a 21-15 overall record and defeated Sacramento State in three straight sets 15-10, 15-1, 15-13.
The Runners who have an overall record of 10-13 will play at Cal State Northridge Oct. 30 before coming home to host Seattle University on back-to-back days Nov. 1-2.