Cal State San Bernardino athletes made their marks in championship competition on Nov. 19, with Laura Aceves setting yet another school record while finishing 13th in the NCAA Division II women’s cross country race, while the women’s volleyball team won its first CCAA title in three seasons in front of a home crowd at Coussoulis Arena.
On Saturday morning, Aceves capped her 2016 season with the single-greatest effort in CSUSB program history in the women's 6,000-meter race in St. Leo, Fla., lowering the school record to 20 minutes, 52 seconds.
It marked her third consecutive school record time in as many races and made her the first All-American recognized by the NCAA in terms of place. She also became an All-American deemed by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association by finishing in the top 40.
Over the course of the season, the El Monte resident won the CCAA championship, the NCAA West Regional champion, and was honored as the CCAA Runner of the Year and the West Region Runner of the Year.
She is the second USTFCCCA All-American in program history, joining Tanya Zefarjahn, who earned her honor in 2004.
On Saturday evening in front of a crowed of 545 on their home court, the women’s volleyball team turned back Chico State in a thrilling 3-2 victory. The win pushed the Coyotes' winning streak to 15 straight and they will take a 24-4 overall record into the NCAA Tournament.
Sophomore Hailey Jackson had a monster match with 21 kills on just two errors in 33 attacks for a .576 attack percentage. She added eight digs and brought down one solo block with four block assists. She earned all-tourney honors, along with teammates Lauren Nicholson, Malika O'Brien and Jayann DeHoog.
CSUSB, the top seed from the South, won the 25-21, 24-26, 25-22, 20-25, 15-9 match over the North's top seeded Wildcats, thanks to a .272 attack percentage. The 20 ties, six lead changes match went CSUSB's way when it gained precious momentum in the fifth and deciding set.
Nicholson, who was named tournament MVP, had 20 kills with eight digs, and O'Brien finished with 15 kills and 10 digs. DeHoog earned another double-double with 57 assists and 15 digs, and three block assists. Freshmen Kaili Scott and Moira Murphy each had three kills, and fellow freshman Amy Armstrong had two kills.
[caption id='attachment_53906' align='alignleft' width='450'] The women’s volleyball team won the CCAA Championship on Nov. 19, beating Chico State. Photo: Robert A. Whitehead/CSUSB[/caption]
Defensively, senior Abbey Vollkommer had 22 digs with Barrett clearing out 17.
The NCAA will announce its tournament field at 4:30 p.m. Pacific time today, Monday, Nov. 21, at www.ncaasports.com.
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