Cal State San Bernardino Captures CCAA Crown
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Cal State San Bernardino post-game |
Chico State post-game
SAN FRANCISCO – After a finals rematch with Chico State, the Cal State San Bernardino Coyotes are back-to-back CCAA Volleyball champions. Continuing its dominance in the league, the Coyotes captured its 13th conference title and ran its current streak of wins to 10 after taking care of the Wildcats 3-1 in Saturday’s finale from San Francisco State.
With the victory, Cal State San Bernardino (21-7) moves on as the CCAA’s automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division II Volleyball Championship. The Coyotes will enjoy an 18th consecutive appearance in the championship field, dating back to 2000. Historically, Cal State San Bernardino owns a 42-17 overall record in NCAA tournament play. Their .712 winning percentage is one of the country’s top, with only five schools owning a better mark (Concordia-St. Paul - .910; CSUN - .781; Portland State - .750; Hawaii Pacific - .750; Palm Beach Atlantic - .722).
The game for the Coyotes began very much like their semifinal matchup, as Chico State claimed the first set victory, 25-18 after San Bernardino hit .088 in the frame and the Wildcats stuffed four attempts at the net.
But also like the semifinals, Cal State San Bernardino adjusted and using a new rotation got 25-20 set wins in the second and third. In what would prove to be the final set of the tournament, Chico State was unwilling to back down and the indications of a fifth set were brewing. The Wildcats were leading 10-5 after an unforced error from Hailey Jackson, but San Bernardino used its calmness and depth to their advantage with tournament Most Outstanding Player Lauren Nicholson’s string of three straight kills followed by two strikes from reserve Moira Murphy to knot the frame at 13 apiece.
The see-saw set continued and the score was tied at 17-all after Alexis Cardoza’s shot found the floor. When the Cougars got the lead off the ace from Cardoza on the next play, the team wouldn’t relinquish the advantage again, winning the frame 25-21 as Cal State San Bernardino hoisted yet another trophy and banner. Finishing the regular season on a tear and earning three victories in the conference tournament, the squad has not dropped a match since Oct. 13.
Nicholson finished with a match-high 19 kills with 14 digs, and All-Tournament Team selection Cardoza added 18 kills for the Coyotes. Murphy came up clutch for Cal State San Bernardino adding 11 kills on .391 hitting while Jayann DeHoog, also named to the All-Tournament Team, assisted on 44 of the team’s 56 scoring plays. Senior Olivia Mediano paced the Chico State offense with 18 kills and 14 digs and Bekah Boyle added 16 kills on .375 hitting. Both Mediano and Boyle also earned All-Tournament Team distinction for their play throughout the weekend.
Cal State San Bernardino now awaits the seedings and matchup information for the West Region, which is slated to be announced on Monday at 4:30 p.m. Fans can watch the selection show live on ncaa.com.
2017 CCAA All-Tournament Team:
| Name |
Year |
Pos. |
School |
| Bekah Boyle |
So. |
OH/OPP |
Chico State |
| Brandi Brucato |
Sr. |
L |
Cal State East Bay |
| Alexis Cardoza |
Fr. |
OH |
Cal State San Bernardino |
| Amanda Colla |
Sr. |
OH |
UC San Diego |
| Jayann DeHoog |
Jr. |
S |
Cal State San Bernardino |
| Olivia Mediano |
Sr. |
OH |
Chico State |
| Maddy Newcombe |
So. |
OH/MB |
Cal State San Marcos |
| Lauren Nicholson |
Sr. |
OH |
Cal State San Bernardino (Tournament MVP) |
| Karla Santos |
Fr. |
OH |
Cal State LA |
| Calan Seitz |
Sr. |
S |
Sonoma State |
| Deja Thompson |
Jr. |
MB |
Cal State East Bay |
| Maddy Underwood |
Sr. |
OH |
Cal State Monterey Bay |