Volleyball attempts to snap long losing streak

CSUF has not tasted victory in almost two weeks. While the Titans have always gone out and played with a tremendous amount of effort and toughness, this season has been marred by inconsistent play. Last weekend’s losses against the University of Hawaii and Cal State Northridge could not have been more evident of that fact.

The Titans came out strong in their Big West conference opener against CSUN, winning the first set 25-21. They were playing well and executing, but things fell apart soon after. After going down early in the match, the Matadors held the Titans to 47 points in the next three games, dominating CSUF en route to a 3-1 win.

However, junior outside hitter Bre Moreland and senior outside hitter Kayla Neto played well for the Titans. Moreland had a match-high 17 kills and 13 digs, while Neto recorded 13 kills and 11 digs. Senior setter Gabrielle Dewberry also led CSUF with 16 digs.

CSUN attacked at a clip of .256 for the match, while the Titans could only muster a .108 hitting percentage. CSUF also committed 26 errors and the Matadors totaled a match-high 13 blocks.

Against the No. 7 Rainbow Wahine of Hawaii, the Titans were able to erase a two-set deficit to start the game before Hawaii claimed the fifth set. After trailing the Wahine by two sets, CSUF executed a comeback in game three and took that momentum into set four, tying the match 2-2 at that point. Hawaii eventually won the match but not before being taken to the brink of defeat. Moreland and Neto once again played outstanding for the Titans. The pair had identical marks in kills (14) and digs (13).

The Titans will look for the momentum they seized against Hawaii to spill over into their match against the University of the Pacific. The Tigers (12-2, 0-1) are coming off a loss last Saturday against UC Davis but are undefeated (3-0) this season at home, with sweeps of Portland State, Nevada and Northern Illinois. Pacific has won four out of their last five, their only other loss coming at the hands of then No. 8 Stanford University on Sept. 8.

The Titans will then have to face off against an improving UC Davis squad (7-7, 1-0). In a 3-1 win against Pacific, the Aggies were led by junior outside hitter Devon Damelio’s 15 kills, while the rest of the team totaled 13.5 blocks. They have also won three out of their last four matches.

Neto and Moreland lead the Titans going into this weekend’s games. Moreland has accumulated 204 kills and leads the team with 153 digs. Neto has sparked the CSUF with her team-leading 208 kills and is second with 129 digs. Freshman outside hitter Lauren Kissell has also been dependable this season, compiling up 84 kills and 21 digs. Dewberry has been stellar on defense with her team-leading 239 kills.

CSUF plays at Pacific Friday at 7:00 p.m. They then go on the road once more to take on UC Davis Saturday at 7:00 p.m.