MOE MELHART POSTMATCH PLUS HIGHLIGHTS


SEASIDE, Calif. — Cal State Monterey Bay dug deep for the second time this season, rallying from two sets down to upend defending CCAA champion Sonoma State 18–25, 23–25, 25–22, 25–15, 15–12 in front of a raucous Saturday night crowd in The Kelp Bed.

It marked the second time this season the Otters clawed their way out of an 0–2 hole to win. They turned the trick against Black Hills State on Sept. 2 at the Dixie State Tournament.

The win was a team effort with only one Otter, sophomore middle blocker Chandler McKean (Visalia/Redwood HS), reaching double figures at 12 kills. McKean added a career–high six blocks while libero Ashlynne Armstrong (Norco HS) led the backline with 19 digs.

 

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THE MATCH WAS OVER WHEN… This one truly went down to the wire and was in doubt until Maddy Underwood (Spokane/Grand Canyon Univ.) notched the final kill for match point.

WIN ONE, WIN 'EM ALL… Based on results so far in 2016, one could argue that the match ended when the Otters won the third set—even though Sonoma led 2–1 at that juncture. CSUMB has won all seven matches in which it has won at least one set this season.

LEADERS OF THE RAFT… POINTS: Chandler McKean 15.5; KILLS: Chandler McKean 12; BLOCKS: Chandler McKean 6; ACES: Ashlynne Armstrong/Maddy Underwood 3; DIGS: Ashlynne Armstrong 19.

NET EFFECT… The Otters continued their season–long dominance at the net by out–blocking Sonoma State 13–7 Saturday night. They've now out–blocked their opponents in 14 of 15 matches dating back to last season.

THE LAST WORD… "I think we came out in sets one and two hoping we would win, hoping that we would execute. We made some adjustments between games two and three wanting to win games three, four and five. This team wants to show that it has grit. That's the standard at CSUMB and we continue to show that again and again" — CSUMB Head Coach Moe Melhart

THEY'VE GOT NEXT… The Otters continue their 4–match homestand by hosting Cal State San Marcos Sept. 30 at 7 p.m..