After taking care of business against Chico State last Saturday, Cal State LA women’s volleyball team (11-5 overall, 6-3 in conference) kept rolling, beating the Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros (6-10 overall, 3-5 in conference) 3-0 on Friday, Oct. 18. The game was defined by a shocking late-set rally from the Toros that pushed the defending national champions to their limits. A back-and-forth battle ensued in the game’s final points, but the Eagles fended off the late comeback to sweep the Toros.
Set one saw the Eagles go toe-to-toe with the Toros early, going up six points to five at one point. From there, the Eagles extended the lead to 14-7 after scoring eight points in that stretch compared to Dominguez Hills scoring two. The Eagles did not trail in the first set, winning 25-23 after a kill from Emily Elliot, assisted by Arielle Chandler. The set was defined by Chandler’s play, as the junior setter notched two service aces and eight assists during that period.
Set two again started with the Toros and Eagles duking it out, tying six times in the half. However, after a service error from Eagles libero Brooke Paige tied the game at 11, LA would finish the set on a 14-4 run. The Eagles connected on 17 kills in set two, with Samarah DaCoud leading the team with six kills while Elliot had five.
Elliot finished the game with a game-high 18 kills. She credited her teammates for helping her set up her kills postgame.
“I think with the great passing and defense and amazing setting, it makes it possible for me to put the ball down,” Elliot said.
Like the first two sets, set three was close early before the Eagles went on an extended run, pushing the lead up to 23-17. However, the Toros did not go down easily. A 7-0 run after being down by six put them within one point of taking the game to set four.
After an Eagle timeout, what occurred was one of the most exciting finishes of the season — 14 ties and six lead changes as the teams traded blows to take the set.
Eventually, the Eagles won the set 32-30 and clinched the sweep. On match point, Elliot received a timely set-up from Ashlyn Beaver to nail a spike that bounced off a Toros player and onto the ground, sending the Eagles bench into a frenzy.
“This is what volleyball is all about,” said Elliot. “This is the fun part, playing neck-to-neck, super close game.”
Head Coach Juan Figueroa praised his players for their efficiency and execution.
“We executed all night, and the times that we didn’t, we found ways to get it done.”
Figueroa was especially pleased with the Eagles’ blocking. Cal State LA had 10 total blocks on Friday, their fourth game with double-digit blocks this season.
“It’s about time that we start blocking,” Figueroa said. “The fact we’re starting to get our hands on the ball is really good for our offense, and it helps us transition way better.”
Haley Roundtree was the leading blocker, tallying three-and-a-half total blocks. The graduate student middle-back said the team is finding its groove after some early season struggles.
“In the beginning of the season, we were a little more timid, said Roundtree.
“But we’re gaining our confidence in each other and ourselves.”The Eagles currently sit at third for the California Collegiate Athletic Association standings, and have two more road games ahead of them before heading back home to face Cal State East Bay on Friday, Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. in the University Gym.
This article was first published in the October 23 print edition of the University Times.
