Box Score

SEASIDE, Calif. – The Cal State Monterey Bay volleyball team swept Notre Dame de Namur 25-13, 25-19, 25-22, Thursday, in the season opener at the Kelp Bed.  The Otters move to 1-0 on the year, while the Argonauts fall to 0-1. 

“I think it is a really great start to our season and an important regional victory,” said head coach Jody Garry. “That's the most important thing we can do, jump start the season with a win.”

Senior middle blocker Melanie Lashbrook (Truckee/Tahoe Truckee) racked up 12 kills, while finishing with three blocks.  Senior outside hitter Rheann Fall (Elk Grove/St Francis HS) registered a double-double with 10 kills and 15 digs. Senior Monique Sena (Valinda/Bishop Amat Memorial HS) controlled the offense in the first two sets with 19 assists while freshman Kelsey Johnston (Ripon/Ripon HS) made her collegiate debut in the closing set with 10 assists.  

The Otters showed no mercy in the first set, taking a quick 13-5 lead and cruised to a 25-13 victory.  Lashbrook led the team with five kills and a .714 attack percentage.

The second set was much closer at the beginning with CSUMB trailing 10-8 before the Otters turned the tide with a 12-1 run.   The Otters survived an Argonauts rally on senior libero Dionna Lucas' service ace to win 25-19.

Despite trailing by as many as five points early on in, the Otters completed the sweep with a 25-22 victory in the third.  CSUMB held its hitting errors to three with Lashbrook leading the team with four kills. 

“I am proud of three things, one is how we came out and played very efficient,” Garry said. “The second is getting quality opportunities for our athletes who hadn't played yet.  We had freshman Kate Kessler (Auburn/Del Oro) who joined our program in the spring, play libero in set three.  The third thing would be how our bench brought a very good energy to the match.”

Up next, CSUMB hosts the Otters Classic this weekend.  The Otters will face William Jessup on Friday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. and Westmont at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 3.  For a complete schedule, visit the Otter Classic Tournament page.