TURLOCK — The good news is the Warriors got the top team in the California Collegiate Athletic Association out of the way to open the conference season.

The up-start Stanislaus State Warriors gave No. 9 Cal State San Bernardino a tough challenge before the powerful Coyotes took the CCAA opener in straight sets, 29-27, 25-19, 25-14, Friday night.

Ramey Gardner (Gresham, Ore./Texas A&M International) had eight kills and three Warriors — Yisel Perez (Turlock/Pitman HS), Rachel Klopfer (Las Vegas/Green Valley HS) and Sierra Adams (Silverlake, Wash./Maryland Eastern Shores) — each had seven kills and the Stan State blocking game was at its best this season. Jordon Wilson (Rialto/Mt. San Antonio College) had six of the team's 17 total blocks.

Stanislaus State (7-2, 0-1 CCAA) opened the match on fire, challenging CSUSB point for point. The Warriors actually out-hit (.297 to .217) and out-blocked (11 to 4 total) the Coyotes in set one. The Warriors had three set points but were not able to close out the Coyotes until a CSUSB service ace and a Stan State error end the rally.

But the nationally ranked team got stronger with its attacks as the match went-on. CSUSB hit .353 in set two and .444 in set three to finish the contest with a .318 attacking percentage.

Cal State San Bernardino (8-1, 1-0 CCAA) also won the serving game with 11 aces. Hannah Barrett had dix of those aces to lead the Coyotes. Alexis Cordoza had 17 kills to lead all players.

The Warriors' blocking game has been improving over the past week and it reached a season high with 17 total blocks. Aside from Wilson's six, Adams had four assisted blocks and Alana Wilson-Reid (San Diego/Grossmont College) helped on three.

The Warriors will get another top team in the conference Saturday night when they host Cal Poly Pomona. The Broncos (8-1, 1-0 CCAA) beat Stan State last weekend at the D2 West Region Showcase in Oakland.