BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Fresno Pacific (21-0) had a scare after two sets against CSU Bakersfield (10-12). The Sunbirds dropped the first two sets 19-25, 29-31 and trailed 20-22 in the third, but fought back to win the final three sets 25-22, 25-16 and 15-4.
The end of the third set was a huge turning point for the Sunbirds, and their 5-0 run to get their first win for the night gave them momentum that built through the final two sets. The Sunbirds began the fourth set 5-1 held a considerable lead throughout to win 25-16. The Sunbirds really rolled into the fifth set after tying the match at 2-2, as they broke out to a 7-1 lead and carried it to finish off the Roadrunners.
Martina Gregusova struggled early, but came back strong as the Sunbirds surged back on Bakersfield. Gregusova led the Sunbirds with 16 kills while Michelle Johnson followed up with 15 kills of her own. Lauren Albertson came up big with three of her nine kills coming in a row to finish the final set.
Albertson hit .643 hitting percentage with no errors and had nine total blocks, where the Sunbirds finished the night with 17.
The Sunbirds finished the night with a .611 hitting percentage with only one error in the final set.
Coach Dennis Janzen commented, “It’s a great feeling anytime you can comeback and win like this. We learned a lot about what we can do as a team.”
The Sunbirds will return home on Friday, October 16 to use what they learned to take down Point Loma Nazarene in Fresno. The first set will begin at 7 p.m.