SEASIDE, Calif. — This time, the Cal State Monterey Bay volleyball team finished what it started. The Otters played two impeccable sets before holding off a Chico State challenge in the third to hand the Wildcats a 25–16, 25–14, 25–23 defeat Friday night in The Kelp Bed.

When the teams met last month in Chico, the Otters also rolled to a quick 2–0 lead before the Wildcats clawed their way back to a 5–set victory in Acker Gym. This time, trailing late in he third set, CSUMB found an extra gear, using two blocks and kills by four different players in a match–closing 6–2 run to seal the victory.

Led by 12 kills each from Amber Tygart (Yucaipa HS) and Anela Visesio (Seaside HS), the Otters hit .305 for the match. The Otters really shined on the block, however, posting 23 block assists on the night—including a crucial triple in the decisive third set—the most in a 3–set match in Otter history. Samantha Brennan (Hunting Beach HS) and Tygart provided the biggest blocks in the wall with six apiece. The totals were career highs for both players.
 

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THE MATCH WAS OVER WHEN… Consecutive kills by Amber Tygart and Maddy Underwood snapped a 23–23 tie in the third set.

HOW SWEEP IT IS… Friday's win was CSUMB's first–ever sweep of Chico State. The teams had faced each other 26 times entering Friday's match with all three Otter victories coming in five sets. In fact, it was just the second sweep in the series by either team in the last 17 matches, with 10 of those going the full five sets.

BUILDING BLOCKS… CSUMB's 23 block assists were the most in a 3–set match in Otter history. They were the seventh most in any Otter match, with all six higher totals coming in 5–set matches.

THEY'RE A HIT… By hitting .305 Friday night, the Otters topped the .300 mark for the fifth time this season. That breaks CSUMB the record of four times set by the 2009 squad.

THEY'RE ACES… With one ace Friday night, Ashlynne Armstrong moved into the No. 9 spot for aces in a season with 33. She needs one more to pass Brittany Etchings (2006) for eighth and two more to tie Dionna Lucas (2008) for seventh. With three aces Friday, Maddy Underwood tied Paige Burrell for No. 14 on the Otter career list with 58.

DIG THIS… Ashlynne Armstrong collected nine digs Friday night to move past Jessica Malcolm (2012–15) for No. 7 on the Otter career digs list with 933. Next up is Lacee Ventura (2010–13) in the No. 6 slot at 945.

LEADERS OF THE RAFT… POINTS: Amber Tygart 15.0; KILLS: Amber Tygart/Anela Visesio 12; BLOCKS: Samantha Brennan/Amber Tygart 6; ACES: Maddy Underwood 3; DIGS: Ashlynne Armstrong 9.

THE LAST WORD… "We've been talking all year about playing the MB way and tonight we really did it. We played our way against a very good Chico State team. I am so proud of this program. But we aren't done yet. We will work to be even better tomorrow.." – CSUMB Head Coach Moe Melhart

THEY'VE GOT NEXT… The Otters conclude their regular season by hosting Stanislaus State Saturday. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.