Box Score HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay volleyball team concluded its five-match homestand by defeating Cal State Dominguez Hills in straight sets on Saturday night at Pioneer Gymnasium (25-17, 25-21, 25-21). The Pioneers (9-14, 6-12 CCAA) have now won four of their last five in California Collegiate Athletic Association play.

East Bay out-hit Dominguez Hills .289 to .150 for the match, which is the second-highest attack percentage the team has posted in a league contest. The Pioneers also racked up eight service aces as the Toros struggled with serve-receive.

"I knew this was going to be a dangerous match with a big win last night on Halloween," said head coach Jim Spagle. "But the team was mature enough to get it done tonight -- although it wasn't always pretty. Out-digging Dominguez Hills was one of our main goals, and we were able grind it out and accomplish that, just barely."

The night started strong for the home team. After CSUDH led briefly, East Bay went on  a 7-1 run to gain a 14-10 advantage. The Pioneers never trailed after that, and they posted a .400 hitting percentage with just one attack error in finishing off the eight-point victory. 

They continued their momentum into game two and jumped out to a 5-1 lead. But this time, Dominguez Hills rallied back and gave the Pioneers trouble on the block. Midway through the frame, the Toros won four straight points to take an 18-13 lead and force Spagle to call timeout. East Bay then came out and won five straight to tie the score, and they finished the set on a 7-2 run behind two kills each from Amber Hall and Jovan Turner.

Following intermission, the Pioneers were able to take care of business and finish off the sweep in game three. They never trailed in the set, taking a 7-3 lead and holding off CSUDH's attempts to rally back. Hall recorded the final kill of the four-point win as the team swept its weekend matches for the second straight week.

Hall finished with 11 kills to lead all players. The senior hit .289 with just two attack error and added eight digs. Samantha Bruno had an extremely efficient night on the attack, recording eight kills on 13 attempts for a .538 hitting percentage. In addition, the school's all-time leader in total blocks tied for the team lead on this night with three.

Kiani Rayford totaled eight kills for East Bay, and in the middle, fellow freshman Micah Hammond hit .333 with four kills and three block assists.

Setter Ashia Joseph was on top of her game, racking up 35 assists (11.67 per set) along with two aces.

Libero Angie Maina tallied 15 digs to lead the squad, and fellow back line specialist Veronica Sanchez added six scoops. Freshman Brandi Brucato came off the bench to notch four digs and three service aces.

"Sam had a huge night for us, and Micah attacking at .333 with a big lift," added Spagle. "Kiani had her third strong match in a row, and Amber made some big side-outs when we really needed them. Angie, Veronica, and Brandi all made outstanding plays on the back row, and Brandi really helped us out at the service line with three aces."

The Pioneers hit the road for the final time next weekend as their schedule reaches the penultimate week of play. CSUEB visits first-place Sonoma State on Friday night, followed by San Francisco State on Saturday night, with both matches slated for 7 p.m.