RESULT: CSUSB 3, Cal (PA) 0 / BOX SCORE
RECAP:
ST. PAUL, Minn. – #2-ranked California State University San Bernardino (29-3) used 51 kills and .313 hitting performance to take a 3-0 win over California (Pa.) (40-2) in the opening round of the 2008 NCAA Division II Volleyball Championships. The Coyotes will play the winner between #8 Truman State and Nova Southeastern in the semifinals on Friday at 5:00 pm.
CSUSB overcame a 10-15 deficit in the opening set of the tournament to overtake the Vulcans 25-23. California (Pa.) was the more accurate hitting squad in the opening sets of the match, hitting well into the .250 range. Junior outside hitter Joanna Nist tabbed six kills in the first set. CSUSB’s Sara Rice, a senior middle hitter, gave her Coyotes the edge late in the set, notching seven kills en route to the win.
Cal State San Bernardino’s offense heated up as the match wore on as the squad distanced themselves from the competition. The Coyotes did not commit a hitting error in the final set, tabbing 17 kills with a .630 hitting average. The Vulcans hit just .097 in the final set.
Rice was the leading hitter on the afternoon with 16 kills and a .481 hitting average. She also added a solo block and two block assists. Jessica Granados had 13 kills and nine digs for Cal State San Bernardino. The defensive effort was guided by Meghan Haas with 13 digs. CSUSB had 49 digs and four team blocks in the win.
Junior middle hitter Ludmila Amaral finished with a team high 12 kills for California (Pa.). Thais Franca added 11 kills as the fourth and final player in the match to tab double figures in kills. Mallory Demarco notched eight digs to lead the defense, followed by four players with seven digs. The Vulcans had 36 kills with a .214 hitting average, 43 digs and five team blocks. The loss ended a 24-match win streak.
Match Notes:
CSU San Bernardino – The Coyotes are in their third NCAA Elite Eight in the last six years … they have won three consecutive CCAA Championships.
California (Pa.) - California is making its eighth NCAA Volleyball Championship appearance, all of which have come in the last nine years ... This is the Vulcan's fourth consecutive appearance ... This is California's second consecutive Elite Eight appearance and third overall ... The Vulcans lost in the 2000 semifinals in their first-ever championship appearance ... They lost to eventual national champion Concordia last year ... Today's loss ends a 24-match winning streak for the Vulcans, during which time they won 72 of 76 sets ... California had won 28 of their 41 matches in three games prior to today's loss ... The set-one loss was the Vulcans' first opening-set loss since dropping a 3-1 decision to Indianapolis (9/26/08) ... California was 4-1 when losing set one before today's loss ... The Vulcans finish the season with a 15-2 record versus opponents who played in this year's Championship.
Press Conference Video (posted approx 1 hour after conclusion of match):
CSU SAN BERNARDINO QUOTES:
Head Coach Kim Cherniss:
Opening Statement: "We want to first congratulate California of Pennsylvania on their great season and making it to the Elite Eight. They were a great opponent and they did a great job of scouting us today."
On Making it to the Elite Eight - "It's a big accomplishment to make it here. Our region is very difficult, with as many as four or five teams ranked in the top-25 throughout the year. Our regional champion from last year didn't even make the NCAA tournament this year."
In Regards to Setter Sara Hoffman - "Sara did a great job of running our system today and keeping out team in system. The tandem of the Sara (Rice) and Sara (Hoffman) has been tough all season and can be unstoppable at times if they stay in system."
On Cal PA's scouting - "California (PA) did a great job of scouting us for today's match. Their middle hitter Ludmila Amaral and setter Renata Silva are a tough tandem to stop."
How is this Elite Eight Tourney different from others you've been a part of? - "Every season is a new journey. This year is a new journey with this team. There are different teams in the tournament this year and we're
not playing at home."
In regards to making it to the semifinals - "We know nothing about Truman and Nova Southeastern. We don't usually play teams from those regions, so we'll have a lot of work tonight scouting those teams and their systems."
Senior middle blocker Sara Rice:
In regards to own setter (Hoffman) - "Transition is a big part of our game. Sara (Hoffman) gives us the ball when she knows we're there."
In regards to making it to the Elite Eight - "Since our freshman year we've lost in the Regional Championships, and it's amazing to be here our senior year."
Senior opposite Jessica Granados:
In regards to own setter - "She's a fast setter and can put the other team at a disadvantage and create big holes in block for us hitters on the outside."
In regards to making it to the Elite Eight - "Obviously it's a team goal to make it here every year. But now that we've made it here, we've made new and different goals for the
remainder of the season."
CALIFORNIA (PA) QUOTES:
Head Coach Stephanie Burner:
On her team's start in today's match -- "We came out excited to play and I thought we matched up well with them. We played well in the first two games but it was hard to watch that third game."
On trying to stop CSU-San Bernadino's Sara Rice -- "We had a hard time stopping her with our block. She has a good arm swing and is quick to the ball."
On the turnaround in game one, after her team led 16-11 -- "We didn't understimate them. But, in the past, we've given up strings of points and that got us it trouble today."
On the third-set loss -- "I think it was a confidence thing. We hung right with them in the first two but we just lost our confidence in the third game."
On getting out of system -- "It's all really about which team can stay in system and control the ball. We like to run a fast offense and they did a good job returning balls and keeping us out of system."
Junior outside hitter Joanna Nist:
Recapping the season -- "We wanted to do more but this is what we've tried to do all season, to get to this point."
Junior middle hitter Ludmilla Amaral:
On running slides -- "The slide is my favorite ball to hit. We do it a lot because Nata (setter Renata Silva) holds the block on the other side so well it creates holes for us to run that."
