Box Score POMONA, Calif. – The Cal State East Bay volleyball team lost in five sets to Cal Poly Pomona for the second time this season on Saturday (26-24, 18-25, 25-17, 13-25, 15-13). This is the fourth time in the last five matches that the Pioneers have played five sets. The momentum switched back and forth several times, and both teams played somewhat unevenly, but the Broncos (12-12, 8-9 CCAA) were able to eke out two-point wins in the first and last sets, which proved to be the difference. The Pioneers (10-14, 5-12 CCAA) traveled a lot of miles this week, and despite the tough loss tonight, they head home with a split for the fourth straight weekend.

East Bay won both the second and fourth sets by wide margins, holding Cal Poly Pomona to attack percentages of .000 and .027. However, the Broncos outhit the Pioneers in each of their three set victories, illustrating the see-saw nature of the match. East Bay hit .367 as a team in the fourth set, the highest of the match for either team, but Cal Poly Pomona topped the .300 mark twice. Both teams showed signs of taking over match several times, but it ultimately came down to who could win the last few points.

The Pioneers actually bested their opponents in several important team stats. East Bay outhit the Broncos .188 to .168 and scored 78 total points to the Broncos' 71. The Pioneers also topped Cal Poly Pomona in team kills (64 to 56) and assists (61 to 53). The Broncos' 12 team blocks was a major factor tonight, however.

Suzy Ni Xu was the Pioneers' leading scorer with 20.5 total points on 19 kills and three blocks. Nicole Boyle was second on the team with 13 kills and 16 digs, while committing just two attack errors. Samantha Bruno also had a big night attacking. She hit .318 with 10 kills, five digs, and four blocks. Nikki Long added eight kills and four blocks, ranking third on the team in attack attempts.

Libero Veronica Sanchez played a strong match with 28 scoops and six assists. Danielle Stewart also had one of her most impressive matches of the season. The senior totaled 30 assists to go with 12 digs, while fellow setter Samantha Siebert contributed 19 assists and 14 digs. Jade Sanford notched four kills and four blocks. Hannah Bell dug out 11 balls, but struggled offensively with just five kills.

For Cal Poly Pomona, Jessica Doerner posted the team's only double-double, leading the way with 19 kills and 10 digs. Diana Lake added 15 kills for the Broncos, and libero Kelly Bonja led all players with 29 scoops.

The Pioneers return to Northern California next week to continue their final stretch of road matches this season. East Bay will look to make a splash in the CCAA standings with just five conference matches left. The team travels to Chico State to play the Wildcats next Friday before traveling to Cal State Stanislaus the following night, with both matches set for 7 p.m.