BOX SCORE

HAYWARD, Calif. — The young Cal State Monterey Bay volleyball team did some growing up Tuesday night, rallying from a two sets to one deficit to upend Cal State East Bay 23–25, 25–19, 23–25, 25–23, 15–11 in Pioneer Gym. It was the third consecutive win for the Otters, who improved to 9–4 overall and 3–2 in the CCAA.

The win was a significant symbolic one for CSUMB, which claimed its first CCAA road victory since a sweep at Cal State Dominguez Hills on Oct. 15, 2011.

Junior outside hitter Julia Ashen (North Salinas HS) continued her dominating 2013 campaign with a match–high 24 kills, her fourth match of 24–plus kills in her last five outings. She added four blocks, including two in the decisive fifth set to help the Otters overcome a late deficit for the win.

Junior setter Kelsey Johnston (Ripon HS) just missed breaking her own school record for assists in a match, finishing with 61. She now has seven of the top 12 single–match assists performances in Otter history, including the record of 62 in a win over Cal Baptist earlier this season.

East Bay (6–7, 2–3) overcame a late deficit in to win the first set 25–23. But showing the resilience they would display throughout the evening, the Otters bounced back for a convincing 25–19 win in set two. The Pioneers opened a 21–16 lead in set three before CSUMB nearly rallied in another 25–23 setback.

The young Otters showed their nerves in the fourth set, making five service errors to help East Bay grab a late 22–20 lead. But Ashen's fifth and sixth kills of the set helped the Otters regain their composure as CSUMB scored five of the final six points to force the decisive fifth set.

The fifth set remained tight, with East Bay grabbing its final lead at 10–9. That's when Ashen's 23rd and 24th kills started and ended a 4–0 Otter spurt that made it 13–10. An Ashen solo block got CSUMB to match point and a Pioneer setting error sealed the Otter win.

In addition to Ashen, sophomore outside hitter Jessica Malcolm (Lodi HS) recorded her 12th consecutive double–digit kill match with 17 kills to go along with a team–high 18 digs. Sophomore middle blocker Victoria Clardy (Westminster/Marina HS) added 16 kills, one off her career high, while sophomore libero Rachel Cookus (Thousand Oaks HS) matched her career high with four aces.

CSUMB returns to action Friday when it continues its 5–match roadtrip at Cal State L.A.