CARSON, Calif. — Grit continues to be the operative word for the Cal State Monterey bay volleyball team this season after the Otters rallied from 2–1 down to hand Cal State Dominguez Hills a 30–28, 23–25, 14–25, 25–23, 15–10 defeat Saturday evening in the Torodome.

CSUMB (8–7 overall) saved four set points in the opening set and rallied back from 20–18 down in the fourth set and 8–6 down in the fifth to earn its fourth 5–set victory of 2016. 

Junior outside hitter Maddy Underwood (Spokane, Wash./Mead HS) led all attackers with a career–high 16 kills. Sophomore defensive specialist Alá Olson (Spokane, Wash./Columbia River HS) led the backline with 18 digs while Samantha Brennan (Huntington Beach HS and Chandler McKean (Visalia/Redwood HS) led the net defense with five blocks apiece.

 

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THE MATCH WAS OVER WHEN… A Maddy Underwood kill made it 12–10 Otters in the fifth. Dominguez Hills never got within two points of the lead again.

ROAD SWEET ROAD… Although they own five neutral site wins over the span, Saturday night's win was CSUMB's first true road victory since a 5–set win at Cal State East Bay on Oct. 28, 2014.

LEADERS OF THE RAFT… POINTS: Maddy Underwood 17, Samantha Brennan 13.5; KILLS: Maddy Underwood 16; ACES: Four Otters had 2; ASSISTS: Whitney Hirst 23, Marissa Miller 22; BLOCKS: Samantha Brennan, Chandler McKean 5; DIGS: Alá Olson 18.

IT'S MILLER TIME… Freshman setter Marissa Miller (Colorado Springs/Air Force Academy HS) saw her first extensive action at the collegiate level and responded well with a season–best 22 assists in a little more than two sets.

GOING THE DISTANCE… The Otters improved to 4–1 in 5–set matches this season. Saturday's win marked the third time in 2016 that the Otters came from behind to win in five.

THE LAST WORD… "WOW! Once again we prove it takes a village. We had a game plan and we stuck to it. We continue to trust our process. Marissa Miller did an amazing job coming in and running the show. Alá Olson did a great job for us defensively and Maddy Underwood responded from an off night last night win the best way possible. I couldn't be more proud." — CSUMB Head Coach Moe Melhart.

THEY'VE GOT NEXT… The Otters return home to begin a 3–match homestand by hosting Humboldt State Tuesday (Oct. 11) First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. Note that the time is moved up one hour to accommodate Humboldt travel arrangements.