Cal State Fullerton women’s volleyball snapped a four game skid with a straight-set victory over Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday afternoon, winning 25-21, 25-22, 25-20.

The Titans led in just about every notable statistic. CSUF had more kills, attempts, points, assists, blocks and aces. They also recorded a better hitting percentage than the Roadrunners, while committing less errors.

Though still early in the season, the Titans have struggled with efficiency – they currently place seventh in the Big West with a hitting percentage of .179 while committing 343 errors. With 11 underclassmen on the roster, head coach Nicky Cannon preached the need to play with conviction and commitment to the process. 

“Before the game, we were talking about the difference between confidence and conviction,” Cannon said. “Yes, we can come out with confidence, but when it gets hard, it’s hard to still have it. The difference is – conviction, you don’t need permission to have confidence, you believe even when you’re down.”

After a lackluster performance on Thursday, freshman Lira Pukl Verdel led the Titans offensively with nine kills while also contributing two aces.

“I was focused. [I was] getting my feet to the ball faster, attacking a little bit smarter,” Pukl Verdel said. “Also, [my] connections with the setter were a lot better today.”

Senior Ketesia Hall anchored both the Titans’ attack and defense, finishing with eight kills and five blocks. Hall now has 46 total blocks this season.

Freshman Devin Hicks carved out a role as the Titans’ ace specialist, delivering five service aces in the match. Hicks also finished with a season-high 15 assists and seven digs.

Freshmen Marisa Nakata, Mia Feldhaus, Zariah Crosby, Feao Saluni and Hannah Hass also contributed in all three sets. 

Cannon was encouraged with the chemistry of the team going forward.

“When I recruited this group, one of the biggest things was ‘do you want to be a part of building something?’ Cannon said. “It requires more to build than it does to come into an already-established program. I was like, ‘Are you up for the challenge?’ – and anybody that was like, ‘Hell yeah coach, let’s go,’ –  I already knew that they had that dog and that relentlessness in them.”

Now 7-11 overall and 2-4 in conference, the Titans will travel to UC Santa Barbara for a weekend matchup on Friday night before traveling to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on Saturday. 

Friday’s contest against the Gauchos is set for 7 p.m.