HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay volleyball team lost at home on Friday night for the first time since Sept. 30 with a four-set defeat at the hands of Cal Poly Pomona (23-25, 19-25, 25-17, 19-25).

It's just the second win of the season for the Broncos in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play. The setback drops the Pioneers to 12-11 overall and 8-7 in conference play. They remain one game ahead of Stanislaus State for third place in the North Division standings after the Warriors fell to Cal State San Marcos on Friday.

East Bay didn't seem right at any point in this contest, as they hit under .200 in all four sets and finished the night at .138. Pomona topped the Pioneers in total kills by a wide margin, 70-55, and the visitors racked up 10 blocks against the CSUEB attackers.

The Broncos jumped out to an early 5-1 lead in the first set, but the Pioneers answered back immediately with a huge run to go up 13-9. The teams traded points after that, and East Bay maintained its modest lead. The Pioneers appeared to be in solid position ahead 22-17, but they came unraveled at the worst time as Pomona won six straight points to take the lead before winning the set on back-to-back CSUEB attack errors. 

The Broncos went on another run early in game two and managed to hang on to take a 2-0 lead in the match, as the Pioneers couldn't muster a rally. 

East Bay staved off the sweep after the intermission by taking the fourth set. They led the entire way and finished the frame with five straight points. There appeared to be some momentum on the home team's side, but they weren't able to complete the comeback. Pomona continued to out-play the Pioneers at the net, and they held off East Bay's rally to close out the match.

Deja Thompson was the only CSUEB player to reach double-digit kills with 12. Kiki Leuteneker finished with nine kills and 12 digs, and Cassidy Caton added six kills. Brandi Brucato posted 21 digs to pace the squad.

Setter Katie Ireland had a huge match statistically, tallying seven kills without an error for a .636 attack percentage to go along with a team-high three total blocks. She also notched her 21st double-double with 37 assists and 15 digs.

Ultimately, the Pioneers didn't have an answer for CPP outside hitter Alexandra Gresham, who ht .500 with 21 kills.

The Pioneers will look to close out their home schedule on a high note Saturday night, but they have a tough test ahead of them in first-place, 17th-ranked Cal State San Bernardino. The 7 p.m. match with be preceded by the annual "Senior Night" ceremony to honor seniors Taylor Elliott, Darlene Lee, and Aimee Kyed before their final match at Pioneer Gymnasium.