BOX SCORE
SEASIDE, Calif. — Led by its literal and figurative ace, the Cal State Monterey Bay volleyball team avenged an early season setback by sweeping Cal State L.A. 26-24, 25-10, 26-24 Friday night in The Kelp Bed.

Sophomore outside hitter Julia Ashen was the ace in more ways than one Friday. Not only did she lead all attackers with 14 kills, but she just missed the CSUMB record for service aces in a match, finishing with five. Lacee Ventura was the most recent of three Otters to match the Otter record, serving six in a four-setter at Cal State East Bay last season.

Friday's match didn't start out looking like an Otter sweep. Cal State L.A. pulled away late in the opening set and had a pair of match points at 24-22. But Janai Johnson pulled back one point with a kill before combining with Ashen to stuff Marquis Mora and knot the set at 24-24. Ashen then polished off the Golden Eagles with her sixth and seventh kills of the set.

Having found their sea legs, the Otters buried L.A. under a tsunami-like run in set two. Tied 7-7, a Golden Eagle service error and a Ventura ace opened the floodgates on an 18-3 run to close out the 25-10 win. The 10 points allowed matched the fewest allowed by the Otters since they held Dominican (NY) College to 10 points in the season opener.

The final set mirrored the first, with 12 ties and six lead changes keeping the outcome in doubt until the final swing. L.A. again had the first chance at the win, using an Otter hitting error to break a 23-23 tie and earn another set point.

This time, a Jessica Malcolm kill brought the Otters level. Ashen followed with her 14th kill to set up match point, which she sealed by combining with Lily Staight to stuff Loreal Carter.

In additions to Ashen, Malcolm added 11 kills. Freshman Rachel Cookus was impressive in the back row, sharing team-high honors with Rachel Freeno at 10 digs.

Sukhjit Athwal led CSLA (9-12, 7-7 CCAA) with nine kills and 13 digs.

CSUMB (11-11, 5-9) closes out its four-game homestand Saturday by hosting Cal State Dominguez Hills. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.