BOX SCORE

SEASIDE, Calif. — The Cal State Monterey Bay volleyball team needed no gargantuan comeback Saturday night. After suffering disappointment in Friday's five-set defeat to nationally-ranked Chico State, the Otters used a workmanlike effort to upend Cal State Stanislaus 25-18, 23-25, 25-18, 25-20 at The Kelp Bed.

The usual suspects did their part to lead CSUMB (10-7, 4-5 CCAA) to victory. Sophomore outside hitter Julia Ashen led all attackers with 18 kills; freshman outside hitter Jessica Malcolm added 14 kills; emerging freshman middle Janai Johnson chipped in 11 kills and seven blocks and sophomore setter Kelsey Johnston dished 48 assists.

But the big stars weren't the only ones shining for the Otters Saturday. Junior outside hitter Lacee Ventura hit a team best .381 on eight kills with no errors while adding 18 digs. Defensive specialist Rachel Freeno contributed 15 digs. Senior middle Lily Staight came off the bench to put down kills on three of her five swings.

After using a 7-1 run early to take control early in the opening set, an Ashen kill gave the Otters a 22-20 lead and a chance to take a stranglehold on the match in the second. A pair of Melissa Bishop kills keyed a 5-1 Stanislaus run, however, allowing the Warriors to even the match at one set apiece entering intermission.

Any thoughts of the Warriors seizing momentum in the match dissipated quickly when CSUMB opened the third set with runs of 5-0 and 10-3 as the Otters led wire-to-wire in a 25-18 win. Stanislaus stayed close in set four, leading as late as 13-12. But a pair of Ashen kills restored CSUMB's lead and the Otters never trailed again en route to the win.

Andrea Fett was the only Warrior attacker to reach double figures, finishing with 14 kills for Stanislaus (6-11, 3-6). Ashley Pittman led five Warriors defenders in double figures with 15 digs.

CSUMB hits the road again for a pair of Southern California matches against CCAA contenders UC San Diego and Cal State San Bernardino next weekend. The Otters return home to host San Francisco State Oct. 19 in The Kelp Bed.