Box Score HAYWARD, Calif. -- The first night of California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) volleyball in 2014 was a thrilling one at Pioneer Gymnasium. Cal State East Bay grabbed a 2-0 lead over No. 8 Cal State San Bernardino before the defending conference champion Coyotes rallied to claim the five-set victory (19-25, 22-25, 25-16, 25-22, 15-5). The Pioneers came up just short despite a tremendous effort from senior Amber Hall, who set career highs with 20 kills and 16 digs and led all players with a .280 hitting percentage. 

The first set saw the home team rattle off an early run, winning eight out of 10 points to take a 13-8 advantage. San Bernardino clawed back to within two, but the Pioneers never relinquished the lead. Hall scored the final three points of the frame on kills.

East Bay kept up their intensity and played one of their best sets of the season to take a 2-0 lead. They hit .286 as a team in game two and never trailed the nation's eighth-ranked team.

"We came out really strong and ran our offense brilliantly in the first two sets," said head coach Jim Spagle after the match. "Amber had an excellent game and really set the tone for us."

The momentum turned in the third frame as San Bernardino pulled away for a relatively easy victory. East Bay made a few unforced errors and posted a negative attack percentage. They also struggled to find an answer for Coyote outside hitter Alexandra Torline, who finished with a match-high 25 kills. 

"In game three, our serve recieve got a bit sloppy and our offense slowed down significantly," Spagle noted. "San Bernardino did an excellent job of serving us tough, and we struggled getting our offense in system."

The Pioneers had their best chance to put the match away in the fourth set. The Coyotes jumped out to an early 12-6 lead before East Bay rallied back. It was tied 22-22, but the visitors claimed the last three points, and the Pioneers came up short despite out-hitting CSUSB .214 to .143 in the frame. San Bernardino kept their momentum from the thrilling fourth-set win and stormed past the Pioneers in the final game.

"I believe we had a great opportunity in game four to seal the deal, but we let them slip off the hook," Spagle said. "We need to come out ready to play tomorrow night because Humboldt has an excellent team and plays with a ton of energy."

Jovan Turner was the only Pioneer besides Hall to notch double-digit kills. The redshirt freshman slammed home 11 kills along with a pair of blocks. Fellow middle Micah Hammond has a difficult night on the attack, but she racked up a career-high eight total blocks on the defensive side.

Setter Ashia Joseph posted five kills on six attempts along with 11 digs. She also led all players with 33 assists and four service aces. Fellow senior Samantha Bruno finished with five kills, seven total blocks, and six scoops. 

Marina Aragao notched six kills and eight digs for the Pioneers. Freshman Kiani Rayford came off the bench to add three kills, Veronica Fabiano put up six assists, and libero Brandi Brucato totaled 15 digs.

CSUEB is back in action at home on Saturday night, Sept. 13, as they welcome in Humboldt State. The game will be broadcast with live video at pioneerwebtv.com.

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