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HAYWARD, Calif. — The Cal State Monterey Bay volleyball team staged an epic comeback to help earn a split on day two of the Route 92 Classic Saturday at Pioneer Gym in Hayward. CSUMB suffered its worst set score under 25–point rally scoring yet still recovered to beat Academy of Art in their early match before dropping a tight four–set decision to Azusa Pacific University in their finale.

Playing her only full match of the weekend, Julia Ashen (North Salinas HS) led CSUMB with 17 kills as the Otters staged an epic comeback to earn a season split with Academy of Art in a 25–21, 17–25, 8–25, 27–25, 16–14 win over the Urban Knights in the morning match. Not only did CSUMB come back from its worst set defeat in the rally scoring era, but it staved off three sets points in the fourth set to set up the win.

Almost needless to say, Ashen put down the kill to seal the fourth set. The Otters then rallied from 13–10 down in the fifth. This time, senior Molly Kennedy (Oakland/Bishop O'Dowd) served the ace that clinched the fifth set.

The Otters played—and lost—their longest set of the season in their Route 92 finale against Azusa Pacific University. After splitting 25–23 results in the first two sets, APU earned a 30–28 win in the crucial third set then held the Otters at arm's length to win the fourth, 25–20.

Lacee Ventura (Salinas HS) recorded a career–high 16 kills against APU. Sophomore Jessica Malcolm (Lodi HS) led all attackers with 21 kills in the match.

CSUMB (6–2 overall) begins California Collegiate Athletic Association play Friday when it hosts Chico State in The Kelp Bed at 7 p.m.