Box Score HAYWARD, Calif. – The Cal State East Bay volleyball team fell to No. 22 Cal State San Bernardino in three sets in Saturday's season finale (25-20, 26-24, 25-18). The Pioneers were attempting to become the first team in more than six years to beat the Coyotes twice in one season, but they were unable to pull out the win on Senior Night. With the loss, East Bay finishes the season at 12-17, 7-15 in the CCAA.

It was one of the loudest crowds of the year at Pioneer Gym to start the match. The first set was tight in the early going, as the Pioneers were able to withstand a couple Coyote runs. But San Bernardino's block got into a rhythm and created an increasing amount of trouble for East Bay late in the set. The Coyotes out-hit the Pioneers .206 to .056 en route to a 25-20 win behind seven kills from Alexandra Torline and three blocks apiece from Brenna McIntosh and Camille Smith. East Bay managed just nine kills in the set, three from Nicole Boyle. 

The script was similar in the second set, as the teams trade points early. But with the score tied 14-14, Cal State San Bernardino went on a 5-0 run and held on for the 26-24 win. They out-hit the Pioneers .178 to .098 and, once again, the Coyotes controlled the net, getting four blocks each from Torline and McIntosh. Brittany Paino led the Coyotes with five kills, and Jade Sanford paced the Pioneers with four.

Looking to spoil Senior Night with a sweep, the Coyotes came out strong in the third set, grabbing a 15-10 lead and forcing an East Bay timeout. The Pioneers made a comeback attempt, but the Coyote attackers were too much for them on this night. San Bernardino out-hit East Bay for the third straight set and recorded 20 team kills, cruising to a 25-18 win.

Boyle led the Pioneers with eight kills in her final match, adding an ace and seven digs. Sanford also went out strong, notching seven kills without an error and two blocks. Nikki Long slammed home three kills and led the team with three blocks. Danielle Stewart closed out her career with eight digs and a team-best 15 assists.

Hannah Bell dig out 10 balls to lead the Pioneers and added five kills. Samantha Bruno hit .571 and posted five kills and two blocks. Setter Samantha Siebert notched 14 assists and five digs, and Suzy Ni Xu totaled four kills on the night.

Cal State San Bernardino out-hit the Pioneers .256 to .129 for the match, also besting them in team kills, 49 to 32. Torline led all players with 15 kills to go along with nine digs. Smith, the Coyotes' All-American setter, racked up 42 assists and 10 digs. San Bernardino finishes as CCAA regular season champions at 19-3.

HONORING THE 2012 SENIORS

Four members of the 2012 East Bay squad played in Pioneer Gym for the last time as seniors tonight after a nice pre-match ceremony with their families. All four have been crucial members of this year's team, playing in the regular rotation.

Nicole Boyle transferred to Cal State East Bay after an impressive season at Cypress College. In two seasons with the Pioneers, she started all 56 of the team's matches at outside hitter. A strong contributor on both sides of the net, Nicole racked up 493 career kills, 734 career digs, and 70 career blocks. She has led the Pioneers in service aces each of the last two years, totaling 63 for her career. She reached double-digit kills in 19 matches, posted 17 double-doubles, and averaged better than 2 kills and 3 digs per set as a Pioneer. She set a career high in scoring with a 21-kill, 21-dig match against Cal Poly Pomona in September.

“Our co-captain Nicole has made a tremendous impact on our volleyball program for the past two years, said Spagle. “An all-around outstanding athlete, Nicole has made her mark both offensively and defensively. On defense, she is as good as any outside hitter I've ever coached. As sweet as they come, I've always referred to Nicole as a Southern Belle, with her gracious personality and charming grace. Wherever her career takes her, Nicole will find a world of success because she understands that success follows effort in everything she tackles. There will be no stopping this gifted young woman.” A native of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, she's pursuing a degree in Art History.

Nikki Long came to Cal State East Bay from Walla Walla Community College in Washington, where she completed a decorated junior college career at outside hitter. Nikki played in 53 matches in two seasons as a Pioneer and has racked up 298 career kills and 64 total blocks. She reached double-digit kills eight times in her career, including a career-high with 12 in Tuesday's win over Cal State Monterey Bay.

“Nikki has been a real joy to coach for the past two seasons,” Coach Spagle said. “A tremendous work ethic, a strong desire to be great, and an extremely sweet personality will lead Nikki to a great career. Her caring, thoughtfulness, and wonderful disposition will serve her well in what will be a very bright future!” The Idaho native is pursuing a degree in psychology.

Jade Sanford has spent three seasons as a Pioneer since coming here from South Carolina State. She played in 34 matches as a middle blocker, making 19 starts this year as a senior. Jade totaled 146 career kills and 68 blocks. She set a career-high this year with 12 kills in a win over Cal Baptist. She also leads the Pioneers with 19 solo blocks his season.

“Inspirational, passionate, and outstanding leadership has allowed our co-captain to positively impact our volleyball program during the past three years,” Spagle remarked. “It has been a real pleasure for me to work with Jade and watch her growth both on and off the court. Her future will no doubt be intertwined with some type of leadership role, which will take both Jade and the fortunate people working with her to great heights.” Raised in Dallas, Texas, Jade is working towards a degree in ecology and conservation biology.

Danielle Stewart spent two years at East Bay after transferring from Pasadena City College. She played in 51 matches as a setter for the Pioneers, making 13 starts. She posted 852 career assists, 332 digs, and 35 service aces. Danielle also has 66 career kills and just four attack errors. She played her best volleyball late in the 2012 season and set a career high with 30 assists earlier in the month at Cal Poly Pomona.

“Danielle's toughness and leadership have made an excellent impact on our volleyball program the past two years,” said Spagle. “She has worked hard in school, on the court, and in an assortment of jobs she's held down while at East Bay. I'm very proud of the person that she is, and I look forward to watching her bright future in the years to come!” Originally from Covina, she's currently pursuing a degree in human development.