Box Score HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay volleyball team rallied for an exciting four-set victory over visiting Humboldt State at Pioneer Gymnasium on Saturday night (20-25, 25-10, 25-22, 25-23). After dropping the first set, the Pioneers (4-3, 1-1 CCAA) came roaring back to claim the next three, using 11 service aces to earn their first victory of the season in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play.

"I really enjoyed watching our freshman outside hitter, Kiani Rayford, play big volleyball tonight," said head coach Jim Spagle. "She was a force for us at the net. Angie Maina played a very tough and determined libero for us as well. Amber Hall had another spectacular night, and Ashia Joseph ran our offense with precision. Our freshman middles held their own against Humboldt's, and Samantha Bruno, Brandi Brucato, and Marina Aragao all made huge plays for us in critical situations. It was a great team effort to defeat a very powerful opponent!"

The Jacks got off to a hot start to open the match, out-hitting East Bay .220 to .132 in the first set. They jumped out to a 9-3 lead from which the Pioneers were unable to recover and never trailed en route to a five-point win.

The second set was a mirror opposite, however, as the home team came out firing. The Pioneers began the frame on a 16-3 run and never let Humboldt back in it. They posted a .417 team attack percentage and held the Jacks to just six total kills. Hall, meanwhile, tallied five kills in the set by herself. The 25-10 final stands as one of East Bay's most lopsided set victories so far this season. 

The crucial third set was much tighter as the teams traded the lead throughout. East Bay held an 18-14 advantage before HSU won four straight to tie the score. From there, the Pioneers went on a 5-0 run to grab the momentum, and then they closed out the set on a kill by Rayford.

It was more of the same in the fourth set as the Pioneers once again showed their ability to finish strong. They made an early run to take a 15-10 lead, but the Jacks rallied back and won 10 straight points. With the score 20-15 in favor of HSU, it looked like the match was headed for five sets. But East Bay didn't relent. A pair of Jack service errors along with four kills by Bruno tied the score at 22-22. They kept that momentum and won the final three points, forcing two Humboldt attack errors with strong defensive play.

It was a dramatic and particularly satisfying win just one night after coming within a few points of upsetting No. 8 Cal State San Bernardino. East Bay out-hit Humboldt State .200 to .104 for the match and racked up a season high with 11 service aces. 

Hall led all players with 14 kills and also added 12 digs and a pair of aces. Rayford notched a career high with 11 kills, and Bruno added nine.

Maina matched a career high with 21 digs, wearing the libero jersey for the first time this season. She also added three assists and three aces.

At setter, Joseph filled up the scoresheet with 39 assists, six kills, three aces, and nine digs. In the middle, Micah Hammond hit .364 and posted six kills and a pair of blocks, while Jovan Turner slammed home three kills along with a team-high five total blocks.

Aragao added for assists and 12 digs, and Brucato had eight scoops with a pair of service aces.

East Bay finished its seven-match season-opening homestand with a record of 4-3. Next weekend, they hit the road to square off with two Northern California foes. The Pioneers visit Chico State next Friday, followed by Cal State Stanislaus next Saturday, with both matches set for 7 p.m.

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