The article below originally appeared in the San Mateo Daily Journal and is being reprinted with permission.

CSM middle blocker Valerie Bruk goes on the offensive during extra points of the third set in Saturday’s home win over Fresno City. Photo by Terry Bernal.

With three volleyball matches in four days, College of San Mateo was facing one of its busiest stretches of the year. And just for style points, the Lady Bulldogs finished off the stretch Saturday with a five-set epic.

And what an epic it was as CSM (11-3 overall) prevailed in the battle on the Hilltop, outlasting visiting Fresno City College for a 22-25, 25-14, 30-28, 23-25, 15-12 victory.

“I like it,” CSM sophomore Naomie Cremoux said of going the five-set distance. “I like it so much because you really have to put your foot on the gas, because there’s only 15 points. You have to get to 15 first. There’s no slow start … you can’t do that, or you lose.”

Cremoux was the Bulldogs’ catalyst, scoring a career-high 31 kills, with nine of them coming in a Game 3 extra-points marathon.

“Her all-around game has improved tremendously from last year,” CSM head coach Katie Goldhahn said. “I think more than just being a power hitter, she’s brought finesse into her game. She’s adding in shots, she’s adding in shot serves, she’s reading the defense, making great adjustments in midair. … So, I’m really proud of her growth and I’ll also say maturity. You can see that maturity on the court.”

CSM sophomore Naomie Cremoux, right, digs a ball with freshman Tui Saluni backing up Saturday in San Mateo. Photo by Terry Bernal.

The Bulldogs overcame a 17-12 deficit in the pivotal third set and faced four Fresno City set points. But Cremoux rotated into the front row to draw extra blockers, opening the floor for late kills from middle Grace Thayer and Valerie Bruk to flip the script. CSM ultimately scored match point when a scrappy Fresno City return erred into the antenna.

“I’m also proud of our middles for stepping up,” Goldhahn said. “Because as dominant as Naomie (is), you can have a triple-block on you. So, really our middles being able to run routes and get set, getting a little more open court, being open for themselves and then opening the court for [Naomie] is really important too.”

CSM is now 3-0 in five-set matches this season, previously battling Sept. 10 past American River, and Sept. 14 past Sierra. Cremoux averages 5.5 kills per set in those three wins.

Now, the Bulldogs are now sitting pretty in the California Community College Women’s Volleyball Coaches Association rankings. Entering play last week, CSM was ranked No. 4 in Northern California, with Fresno City at No. 5.