The Cal State Stanislaus volleyball team ended a five-match losing streak after rallying from a two-set deficit to top Cal State Monterey Bay at Fitzpatrick Arena on Saturday night, 18-25, 23-25, 26-24, 25-21, 15-8.
The Warriors, who dropped the first two sets before the final three, improved to 3-6 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association and 7-6 overall. Monterey Bay, on the other hand, extends its streak to seven losses with a 5-7 overall mark and 2-7 in the CCAA-and it comes despite Rheann Fall's 28 kills.
Senior leader Lianne Vicchio, who struggled early but got going after the second set, finished with a career-high 23 kills and 21 digs. It was her first 20-20 match and the fifth 20-kill match of her career. Vicchio had six attacking errors in the first two sets, but those were all of her errors on the night. In sets three through five, Vicchio went 13-for-34 without a mistake or an attempt blocked.
But, of course, it took a team effort for the long rally back from being down 0-2.
Libero Jaclyn Pinasco - making her third career start - picked up a career-high 34 digs, one shy of the school record of 35 set on Sept. 1, 2007, by Megan Britton.
Eva Chafeh carried the Warriors in the early sets with nine of her 18 kills in the first two periods, tying a career-best mark.
Once the offense starting clicking, Jessica Lehner was dishing out the assists. The junior finished with 52 assists, the second time this season she has reached at least 50. Lehner also turned in a career-high 11 kills Saturday night.
In the critical third set, the Warriors found themselves down seven. But they rallied behind Lehner's surprise attacks, the return of the all-CCAA performer in Vicchio, great defensive plays and some Otter attacking errors. Chafeh handed Stanislaus a set point after a kill to make it 24-23, but an attacking error tied it up.
Chafeh came right back with another strong put-away and a Monterey Bay error gave Stanislaus the 26-24 win to force set No. 4.
Stanislaus never trailed again.