UC San Diego hosts the undefeated Cal State San Bernardino women’s volleyball team (15-0, 8-0), No. 1 ranked in the nation, at RIMAC Arena at 7 p.m. Saturday.
CSUSB defeated Cal State San Marcos in four sets Friday. They downed the Tritons in straight sets last month in San Bernardino.
In the Tritons’ Friday game, Jessica Rieble had a match high 15 kills and Gina Cortesi added 14 as they picked up a 3-1 win at conference opponent Cal Poly Pomona.
With the win, the Tritons improved to 11-5 overall and 5-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.
UCSD fell in the first set, 13-25, then took three straight, 25-22, 25-22, and 25-11.
“I’m really proud of how we turned it around after the first set,” head coach Ricci Luyties said.
Rieble finished with 18.5 points. The senior entered the match ranked 12th nationally in hitting percentage at .403.
Cortesi ended her night with 17 points as she had four blocks. She hit .250 (14-5-36) and totaled seven digs.
Trailing 21-16 in the third set, UC San Diego used a powerful 9-1 run to take the frame and go up 2-1 in the match. The Tritons carried the momentum into the fourth set and scored nine of the final 11 points of the set.
Cal Poly Pomona (4-11, 2-6) was led by Ally Wilder’s 12 kills. Brynn Sherbert had 16 digs for the Broncos, who hit .209 (44-17-109).
Both teams finished with eight blocks.
Saturday’s match will be broadcast live by ESPN3 and covered by live stats.
– Staff reports