Box Score HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay volleyball defeated visiting Cal State Stanislaus in straight sets on Friday night (25-17, 25-17, 25-23). The victory snaps an eight-match losing streak for the Pioneers (6-13, 3-11 CCAA), who improve their record to 5-5 at home.

"The difference maker tonight was our defense, both in blocking and our individual toughness digging some tough balls in the back row," said head coach Jim Spagle. "Offensively we did just enough to keep Stanislaus guessing."

The teams traded points early in the first set before the Pioneers made their first scoring run of the match. With the score 12-11, East Bay won nine of the next 10 points to grab control of the frame. They held Stanislaus to a negative attack percentage and were able to finish off game one, as Samantha Bruno notched four kills and two aces.

The Pioneers kept their momentum going into the second set. After the Warriors grabbed a quick 2-0 lead, East Bay won the next five points and never trailed after that. The visitors made a late rally, but once again posted a negative hitting percentage, and the Pioneers were able to hang on. Bruno and Amber Hall totaled four kills each in the frame, and libero Angie Maina racked up eight digs. East Bay took a 2-0 lead into intermission for this first time this season in CCAA competition.

CSUEB cooled off a bit in the third set coming out of intermission, and the score remained tight in the early going as Stanislaus began to have success on the attack. The Warriors took a 15-12 advantage, forcing Spagle to use a timeout, but Pioneers countered with a rally of their own. The lead then changed hands several times down the stretch until it was tied 23-23. Then a Warrior service error gave East Bay match point, and an ace by Bruno gave them the victory.

The Pioneers out-hit the Warriors, .139 to .033, for the match and racked up 68 team digs. Hall led all players with 11 kills in the win. Bruno finished with nine kills and seven digs to go along with a career-high five service aces.

Maina tallied 25 digs to lead the squad, and she added six assists. Senior Veronica Sanchez also reached double figures with 12 scoops. 

Senior setter Ashia Joseph filled up the scoresheet with 28 assists, 14 digs, three kills, and a pair of blocks. 

In the middle, Micah Hammond notched six kills with a team-best .313 hitting percentage. Fellow freshman Jovan Turner also had six kills to go along with a team-high three blocks. 

"Amber and Micah were both efficient attacking in the front row," added Spagle. "Angie, Ashia, and Veronica provided some real toughness in the back row, and Sam did an outstanding job at the service line. Hopefully we can build on this effort tomorrow night."

On Saturday night, CCAA play continues as CSUEB welcomes in Chico State for "Blackout Night." Fans in attendance will have a chance to win glow-in-the-dark Pioneer Athletics t-shirts. Saturday's match will also feature live streaming video at PioneerWebTV.com.