HAYWARD, Calif. -- It was a happy homecoming for the Cal State East Bay volleyball team on Friday night, as the Pioneers returned home from a four-match road trip and pulled off a five-set victory over rival Cal State Monterey Bay (26-24, 21-25, 28-26, 24-26, 15-10).

The match was extremely evenly-matched with the Pioneers and Otters notching identical attack percentages of .198. East Bay edged out the visitors in points (84 to 82), kills (68 to 66), assists (65 to 64) and service aces (7 to 3), while Monterey had the advantage over CSUEB in blocks (12 to 9).

"We talked a lot about out-working our opponent," said head coach Jim Spagle. "In the end, finally, we were able to do just that." 

The lead changed hands several times in the opening set, and it extended to extra points before freshman Kathy McKiernan scored the clinching kill. The Pioneers, weren't able to build on their momentum, however, and fell behind big in game two. The Otters led 18-8 at one point, but East Bay rallied back with a late scoring run to make it close.

Tied 1-1, the Pioneers managed to squeak out a win in the pivotal third set. They held off a furious late run by the Otters and had three chances at set point before finally securing the narrow victory. 

Monterey flipped the script in the fourth set and captured yet another narrow decision. They won seven straight points to go up 20-16 late in the frame, but the Pioneers rallied to tie the score 24-24. East Bay couldn't put it away then, however, and a pair of attack error gave CSUMB the win and sent the teams to a fifth set.

The Pioneers were in control through the deciding game as they smelled a victory in front of their home fans. A pair of kills by Kiki Leuteneker gave them a four-point lead, then a 3-0 run after the teams switched sides stretched the advantage out to six. The final three Pioneer points came on kills by sophomore Kiani Rayford. 

"A really good team effort, and I couldn't be prouder of our freshman," Spagle added. "Kathy, Kiki, and Deja Thompson all surpassed my offensive hitting efficiency goals, and all three were real difference-makers tonight. Angie Maina, Brandi Brucato, and Darlene Lee all played stellar defense, and Veronica Fabiano gave us a great boost off the bench running our offense."

Tonight featured a matchup of the top two liberos in the CCAA in terms of digs per set, and both lived up to their billing. Monterey's Rachel Cookus led all players with 33 digs, while East Bay Angie Maina scooped out 26.

Leuteneker notched a double-double 16 digs and 19 kills, which led the team. She hit .385 for the match and also notched a pair of service aces.

McKiernan was outstanding in the middle for the Pioneers, finishing with 15 kills and a .364 hitting percentage. She also led the squad with three aces and set a career high with eight total blocks, included two solo. 

Thompson, her fellow first-year middle, paced the team with a .417 attack percentage and totaled 14 kills. Rayford reached double figures in kills as well, posting 10 and giving the Pioneers a great boost off the bench.

East Bay's sophomore setters split the duties, with Kylie Fraga tallying 31 assists to go along with Fabiano's 29. In the back row, Brucato and Michaela Gardner each had nine digs, and Lee posted eight.

CSUEB is back in action at home on Saturday, Nov. 7 when they host Cal Poly Pomona for a 7 p.m. match.