Box Score TURLOCK, Calif. – It has been a frustrating year in some ways for the 2012 Cal State East Bay volleyball team, but one thing you can definitely say about this team is that they don't quit. That never-say-die attitude was on display in Turlock tonight, as the Pioneers erased an 0-2 deficit and came all the way back to force a fifth set. It was one of those matches where, after more than two hours and 200 points, the score was tied 13-13 in the deciding set, and each team had an equal chance to take the match. Ultimately the Pioneers fell short, losing the fifth set in heart-breaking fashion (25-23, 25-17, 22-25, 20-25, 18-16).
Suzy Ni Xu turned in a huge effort in the first set, posting seven kills on nine attempts. However, it wasn't enough as the Warriors (9-19, 5-4 CCAA) hung on to win a tight first set and take an early lead over the Pioneers (10-16, 5-14 CCAA). From there, Stanislaus led the whole way in the second set and won easily, setting themselves up for what looked to be an easy victory.
The Pioneers hit just .162 in that set, the only time they failed to eclipse the .200 mark in the match. But as has been the case many times this year, East Bay played best with its back against the wall. The Pioneers came back and won the next two sets, experiencing more much success on the attack than the previous night in Chico.
East Bay had a chance to complete the comeback in the fifth set. They grabbed an 8-3 lead, but Cal State Stanislaus came back to tie it. The teams traded points the rest of the way until the Warriors finally delighted the home crowd by grabbing two straight points to take the set 18-16. Overall, it was an extremely close match, as East Bay hit .228 with 68 kills, 63 assists and 78 points, and Stanislaus hit .226 with 67 kills, 61 digs, and 81 points.
Xu ended up leading all players with 22 kills, while hitting a team-best .386.
Nicole Boyle notched 10 kills, five assists, and led the team with 24 digs.
Jade Sanford was the other Pioneer with double-digit kills, also posting 10, and she paced the team with four blocks.
Hannah Bell bounced back with a solid effort offensively, slamming home eight kills with just two errors, and adding 16 digs.
Nikki Long also notched eight kills for the Pioneers. Libero
Veronica Sanchez dug out 22 balls and also added five assists. Setters
Danielle Stewart and
Samantha Siebert both had double-doubles on the night, with Stewart totaling 24 assists and 16 digs, and Siebert contributing 25 assists and 13 scoops. Stewart, having repeatedly shown a knack for going over on two, also scored five kills for East Bay.
For the Warriors, Andrea Fett led the way with 22 kills and 13 digs. Janay Bankston and Jennifer March also reached double digits in kills, posting 18 and 14, respectively. Setter Kendall Munoz had a big night, racking up 53 assists to go with four kills and 11 digs.
Cal State East Bay has just one week of matches remaining on its schedule, and all of them are at the friendly confines of Pioneer Gym. Tuesday night, the Pioneers welcome in bay area rival Cal State Monterey Bay for a midweek match, with first serve set for 7 p.m.
