HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay volleyball team turned in its most dominant effort of the 2016 season on Saturday, sweeping past Cal State San Marcos in straight sets at Pioneer Gym (25-14, 25-17, 26-24). 

The Pioneers (6-8, 2-4 CCAA) controlled the first two sets nearly the entire way with consistent success on the attack. They hit .378 as a team in the opening frame and finished at .264 for the night, racked up 49 kills in just three sets.

East Bay's defense allowed just 31 total kills, holding the Cougars (9-5, 2-3 CCAA) under a .200 hitting percentage in all three sets and limiting them to .104 for the match.

After taking a commanding lead into the intermission, the Pioneers came out a bit sloppy to start game three, and Cal State San Marcos jumped out to a 7-2 lead. But East Bay chipped away, riding the hot hitting of Kiki Leuteneker. CSUEB tied the score 10-10, and then it was back-and-forth the rest of the way into extra points. With set even at 24-24, the Pioneers finished off the sweep with back-to-back kills by Julie Navarro and Leuteneker.

Leuteneker led all players in the match with 15 kills, followed by Deja Thompson with 12. The sophomores each tallied nine digs as well. 

Navarro contributed 10 kills and a .348 hitting percentage on the right side. In the middle, Kathy McKiernan was perfect on the attack with six kills and a .462 percentage. She also turned in three total blocks to lead the team. 

Cal State East Bay racked up an impressive 46 assists in the short match, led by setter Katie Ireland with 37. She also paced all players with 19 digs, giving the sophomore her 13th double-double in 14 matches. 

Brandi Brucato added 16 scoops, while Darlene Lee dug out 15 in a strong overall effort by the home team. 

With a 2-4 mark in conference play, the Pioneers now hit the road for their first Southern California trip of the season. CSUEB will visit Cal State Dominguez Hills next Friday evening, followed by Cal State L.A. on Saturday.