BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Pacific volleyball team extended its winning streak to four straight Friday afternoon as the Tigers defeated CSU Bakersfield and Fresno State on the first day of the Central Cal Challenge at the Icardo Center.
 
The Tigers (7-4) took care of business in the day's two matches, coming from behind and earning a 16-25, 25-18, 22-25, 26-24, 15-6 five-set victory over the Roadrunners (3-7), followed by a 25-23, 13-25, 25-16, 23-25, 15-11 five-set win over the Bulldogs (5-6). Emily Van Groningen shined in both matches as she recorded a team-high combined 22 kills. The Ripon, Calif. freshman recorded her first-career match with at least 10 kills, as she tallied 13 in the win over the Bulldogs while adding three block assists.
 
In the first match of the day, Pacific, who has defeated CSU Bakersfield in five consecutive matches, shined throughout the contest on the defensive side of the ball, recording a season-high 11 blocks. While leading the team offensively, Van Groningen also led the charge for the Tigers with two solo blocks while adding five block assists. Ramonni Cook, Sedona Sherman, and Biamba Kabengele contributed to the defensive efforts as the trio added three block assists apiece.
 
In a tightly contested match, the Tigers trailed the Roadrunners two sets to one after three frames of action. Staring down defeat in the fourth set, the Tigers trailed by four, 21-17, late in the set before taking nine of the following 12 points to secure the set and even the match at two sets apiece.
 
The Tigers jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the fifth set and never looked back, securing the win as the team won six of the match's final eight points.
 
In another five-match thriller in the nightcap, the Tigers used a balanced offensive attack to edge out the Bulldogs as three members recorded double-digit kills. With Van Groningen's team-leading 13-kills, Darina Kumanova and Kabengele added 12 and 11, while the Tigers registered their third match this season where three players tallied double-digit kills.
 
"We are learning and growing our volleyball IQs together, and we can compete," Head Coach Greg Gibbons stated after the contests. "Very proud of how hard we fight together and will continue to improve in areas and get better."
 
Pacific returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 17, as the Tigers wrap up the Central Cal Challenge with a matchup against Sacramento State at 11 a.m.