OTTERS vs. TOROS HIGHLIGHTS

SEASIDE, Calif. — The Cal State Monterey Bay volleyball team had chances to put away visiting Cal State Dominguez Hills but couldn't seal the deal as the Toros took a 26–24, 17–25, 25–14, 15–25, 15–13 decision Friday night in The Kelp Bed.

The Otters did well to stay in the match at all given that injuries left them starting two freshmen middles. Baylie Pierson (Vista Murietta HS) made her fifth start in place of Chandler McKean while Hannah Haveman (Parker, Colo./Legend HS) made her first collegiate start in place of Samantha Brennan.

Both players acquitted themselves well, combining for 10 kills and nine blocks. McKean, made her first appearances since Oct. 7 but got just two swings in limited action.

CSUMB (11–9, 5–6 CCAA) lost its grip on the match when it couldn't secure a 24–18 lead in the opening set. The teams traded easy wins over the next three frames before the Otters led for most of the deciding set.

But the Toros fought back to take their first lead via an Otter error at 13–12 and led 14–12 before a Maddy Underwood (Spokane, Wash./Mead HS) kill saved one match point. It turned out to be a temporary stay, however, as an error on the ensuing serve gifted the Toros the match.

Underwood led three Otter attackers in double figures with a career–high 20 kills. Amber Tygart (Yucaipa HS) added a career–high 18 kills of her own.
 

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THE MATCH WAS OVER WHEN… Maddy Underwood's serve sailed long at 14–13 in the fifth set.

DIGGING FOR THE CURE… The Otters and the Toros wore pink Friday night as part of the Dig For a Cure campaign. The CSUMB Student Athlete Advisory Committee partnered with the sister of Sigma Theta Psi to raise nearly $500 for the Breast Cancer Assistance Group of Monterey County.

DIG THIS… Paige Burrell recorded her CSUMB career high with 22 digs Friday night. Her previous high was 17 vs. Dominican Univ. on Sept. 9, 2016.

UNDERWOOD OR UNDERTAKER? Not only did Maddy Underwood set a career–high with 20 kills Friday night, she became just the ninth player in Otter history to climb past the 600–kill plateau for her career. She will enter Saturday's match versus Cal State L.A. with 613 career kills.

TOP 10 TYGART… While Amber Tygart's career–high 18 kills were her highlight, she quietly slipped into the Otter career Top 10 for total blocks with four more Friday night. She now has 157 blocks and needs three more to pass Janai Johnson (2012–14) for the No. 9 spot.

BUILDING BLOCKS… The freshman middle blocking duo combined for nine blocks Friday night, including five by Hannah Haveman in her first collegiate start.

LEADERS OF THE PACK… POINTS: Maddy Underwood 21.5; KILLS: Maddy Underwood 20; BLOCKS: Hannah Haveman 5; ACES: Ashlynne Armstrong/Paige Burrell/Alá Olson, 3; DIGS: Paige Burrell 22.

THEY'VE GOT NEXT… The Otters conclude their brief 2–match homestand by hosting Cal State L.A. Saturday. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.