HAYWARD, Calif.—The Moe Melhart era of Cal State Monterey Bay volleyball began with a bang as the Otters swept Pac West Conference rival Holy Names University 25-19, 25-19, 25-19 in the first match of the Route 92 Showdown Friday in Hayward.

The Otters dropped a tough 25-9, 25-15, 19-25, 25-21 decision to a strong Cal Baptist side later Friday evening, but that did little to take the luster of the strong morning showing.

Senior forward Jessica Malcolm (Lodi HS) led the way with 24 kills Friday, including 15 in the sweep of Holy Names. She added 12 digs in the match for the first Otter double-double of 2015.

Senior libero Rachel Cookus (Thousand Oaks HS) tallied a team-high 29 digs, including 16 in the early match. Despite playing just two sets, freshman Ashlynne Armstrong (Corona/Norco HS) had four kills and 13 digs in the Cal Baptist match.

The Otters conclude play at the Route 92 Showdown by traveling down Route 92 for a pair of matches at Notre Dame de Namur in Belmont Saturday. They'll take on Academy of Art at 11:30 a.m. before closing tournament play against host NDNU at 7 p.m.