CARSON, Calif. – The Sonoma State volleyball team looked to be on their way to a tough CCAA loss on Friday evening, trailing by two sets and down six points in the third. However, the Seawolves mounted an unbelievable comeback from there, storming back to take the third set before winning the final two and earning the 3-2 victory. The win was the sixth straight for SSU who upped their overall record to 13-5 and conference mark to 7-4.
Statistically the Seawolves dominated the first two sets, outkilling the Toros 28-17 through sets despite dropping both. The Sonoma State attached committed 17 errors in those two sets including a season high 11 in the first. CSUDH led wire-to-wire in the first on their way to a 22-17 win and then erased a three-point deficit in the second to win 25-22.
The Toros jumped out in front in the third set and appeared to be headed towards a sweep. The home team led by six several times, including at 17-11 before the Seawolves began their comeback. Sonoma State ripped off an 8-2 run to even the score at 19-19 before scoring four of the final five points to earn the 25-23 win.
Jaden Krist and
Kiana Richardson picked up big kills down the stretch as the Seawolves pulled within one heading into the fourth set.
Richardson and
Leilani Hallman got things going early in the fourth, picking up two kills apiece to open the set. With the score tied 13-13 the Seawolves scored the next three on a service error and two blocks by
Jen Trephan to go ahead. After the Toros cut the deficit to one Sonoma State answered with a 5-1 run to put the set away.
Kaden Young ended it with a set-point service ace and the game headed for a fifth and deciding set.
The Seawolves dominated the final set, scoring seven straight points to run away with the fifth.
Brynna Slayton recorded three aces during the run while Richardson added two kills. SSU would not let up, taking the final set 15-4 with eight kills and three aces.
Sonoma State held a 57-40 kill advantage for the contest and added seven aces and six blocks. Krist led all players with 14 kills while Richardson finished just behind her with 13 of her own. Trephan tacked on eight kills, 19 assists, 19 digs and three blocks with Slayton finishing with five aces.
The Seawolves are back in action tomorrow evening when they take on CCAA leader Cal State LA at 3:00 pm.
