BOX SCORE
SEASIDE, Calif. — For the second consecutive night the Cal State Monterey Bay volleyball team staged an epic comeback. For the second consecutive night, the Otter rally fell just short.

Saturday night, CSUMB overcame a two sets to none deficit to tie Cal State Stanislaus, only to see the Warriors hang on by their fingernails at the wire to win 25–22, 26–24, 21–25, 19–25, 15–11 in The Kelp Bed.

Junior outside hitter Julia Ashen (North Salinas HS) saw her second consecutive 25–kill performance spoiled by the verdict. CSUMB also got 19 kills and a career–high 22 digs from sophomore outside hitter Jessica Malcolm (Lodi HS).

CSUMB (6–4, 0–2 CCAA) got off to a painfully slow start, hitting just .154 through the first two sets, its lowest attacking output through two sets this season. But the Otters took much better care of the ball in the third set, hitting .324 behind five Malcolm kills to jump back into the match.

CSUMB rolled through the early part of the fourth set, racing to a 19–9 lead before their momentum stalled. The Otters held on to win the set, but Stanislaus seized some of the momentum back by out–scoring them 10–6 down the stretch.

Stanislaus grabbed a slim advantage early in the fifth set and led 12–9 when the Otters made their final push. A Malcolm kills and a Warrior hitting error pulled CSUMB to within 12–11. But a tough net call on a joust went against the Otters on the ensuing point, and Stanislaus served out the final two points for the win.

The Otters return to action Friday when they continue their four–match homestand by hosting Humboldt State in The Kelp Bed. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.