LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Third-seeded CSU Bakersfield held on to defeat No. 6-seed Seattle U in five sets (25-15, 25-22, 23-25, 18-25, 15-5) in the first match of the WAC Volleyball Tournament Thursday. The Roadrunners advance to face second-seeded Utah Valley in the first semifinal match on Friday at 5 p.m.
WAC Player of the Year Carol Grasso led all players with 17 kills and 19 digs for her 15th double-double of the year. She also added four service aces and three blocks. Roadrunner setter Fabiana Andrade posted a double-double of 22 assists and 11 digs, while libero Jocelyn Rodriguez had a match-high 25 digs.
Seattle U was paced by Katarina Marinkovic with 15 kills and 10 digs for her fourth double-double of the year. Shae Harris also posted a double-double of 20 assists and 18 digs.
CSU Bakersfield claimed the opening set 25-15 by holding Seattle U to a .000 hitting percentage and out-blocking the Redhawks 5-2 on the set. Katie Dunbar-Lowe and Kortney Freeland led the Roadrunners with three blocks each in the set.
After a close start to the second set, CSUB built a seven point lead (17-10). Seattle U battled back to make it a three-point set (19-16), but the Runners went on to the win. Grasso had four kills, four digs and two aces in the set.
Seattle U scored the first five points of the third set. After CSUB took a brief lead, the Redhawks went on to the two-point lead. Harris led Settle U with seven digs, six assists and three kills on the set.
The Redhawks jumped out to a 12-6 lead in the fourth set, but CSUB battled back to make it a one-point set (13-12). Seattle U then pulled away for the 25-18 win. Marinkovic had five kills on .556 on the set to pace the Redhawks.
CSUB dominated the fifth and final set, scoring the first three points and cruising to the 15-5 win. Grasso had three kills, two aces and two digs on the set.