The Yotes celebrate their hard-fought 3-1 victory over Cal State Dominguez Hills, bringing energy and unity to Kim Cherniss Court in an unforgettable Homecoming win. Photo by Dr. Greg Gondwe
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — The roar of Coussoulis Arena echoed through the night as the CSUSB women’s volleyball team claimed a thrilling 3-1 victory over Cal State Dominguez Hills in their annual Homecoming game. Fueled by a passionate crowd on Saturday night, the Coyotes improved to 11-8 overall and 7-5 in CCAA play with set scores of 25-20, 25-20, 23-25, and 25-17.
Senior standout Ashley Robinson led the charge, tallying an impressive 21 kills and 11 digs. Robinson’s leadership and precision were evident, especially in the first set, where her five kills without a single error set the tone for the Coyotes’ early dominance. CSUSB hit .333 in the first set, sharply contrasting Dominguez Hills’ .056, establishing a rhythm that would propel them forward.
The Coyotes rallied again in the second set after trailing 6-4, showing resilience as Robinson and freshman setter Jaiden Van Horn contributed critical points to secure another 25-20 win. Van Horn, a freshman from Elk Ridge, Utah, showed poise under pressure, adding three kills to bolster the Coyotes’ attack.
Set three proved a nail-biter, with CSUSB initially leading 17-13, then reaching a 23-21 advantage before a determined Toros team fought back to force a fourth set. But CSUSB responded to the setback with an electrifying final set, securing the win with an outstanding .630 attack percentage. Robinson once again took center stage with eight kills, while senior Savannah Hoffmann from Rialto contributed five.
The Coyotes’ defensive presence was just as formidable. The team totaled 12 blocks, with sophomore Allison Legates (Los Altos, Calif.) leading with six assisted blocks and teammates Robinson, Kacie Pedersen, and M’Kera Drake each adding five.
The victory highlighted the team’s depth and determination. “This game really showcased our teamwork,” Robinson shared post-game. “We felt the support from our fans, and it gave us the energy to push through.”
With momentum building, the Yotes continue their homestand Thursday at Kim Cherniss Court, where they’ll take on Stanislaus State. First serve is set for 7 p.m., as CSUSB looks to solidify their standing in the CCAA rankings.