HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay volleyball team began the regular season with eight home games at Pioneer Gymnasium before hitting the road to open California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play last week. This weekend, the team returns to Hayward to host a pair of CCAA contests against Bay Area rivals. 

On Friday, the Pioneers welcome in defending CCAA champion Sonoma State, looking for their first win against the Seawolves in three years. On that night in October of 2013, SSU came into Hayward ranked No. 11 in the nation, but the Pioneers pulled off the upset in five sets. 

On Saturday evening, San Francisco State  will make the trip across the bridge looking to snap a five-match losing streak. Both matches this week are scheduled for 7 p.m.

WEEK IN REVIEW
The Pioneers rode some momentum into the first week of CCAA play after posting a 3-1 record the previous weekend at the Division II West Region Showcase tournament. But the conference opener was unkind to the Pioneers, as Chico State handed them a three-set loss. Julie Navarro hit .438 and led the way with eight kills, but CSUEB has no answer for the Wildcat attack as Chico posted a .424 team hitting percentage for the night.

The next night, East Bay played a much more competitive match on the road at Stanislaus State, but again came up short in straight sets. Taylor Elliot had a strong performance in the middle, hitting .400 with seven kills. However, the Pioneers hitters struggled overall, committing 22 attack errors with an .080 attack percentage.

LUCK OF THE IRISH
Sophomore setter Katie Ireland, a transfer from Montana State, has been a bright spot for the Pioneers early in the season. She was outstanding at the DII West Region Showcase, and on Saturday posted her eighth double-double in 10 matches with 22 assists and a team-high 24 digs. 

About one-third of the way through the regular season, Ireland ranks fifth in the CCAA in assists (8.97 per set), seventh in digs (4.44 per set), and ninth in hitting percentage (.306). 

SOMETHING BRU-ING
Junior libero Brandi Brucato has also been racking up the digs to start the season. She has had double-digit scoops in nine out of 10 matches and ranks second among all CCAA players with an average of 4.44 per set.

SOPHOMORE STUDS
Last year, the Pioneers relied heavily on a core of freshman to make up their front row rotation. That experience has paid off so far in 2016, as the team's top four scorers are all sophomores. 

Deja Thompson has taken a major step forward in her second season, leading the team at 2.86 kills per set to go with 17 blocks. She also ranks third in the CCAA with 0.42 aces per set, and third on the Pioneers with 3.53 digs per frame.

Kiki Leuteneker, the team's leading scorer as a rookie, is right behind Thompson averaging 2.63 kills and 2.61 digs per set. Navarro, the southpaw right side hitter, has contributed 2.50 kills per set along with 15 blocks.

Kathy McKiernan checks in with 1.75 kills per set and she's second on the team with a .231 attack percentage. Her impact has been even more significant on defense, where she leads the squad with 26 total blocks.

SCOUTING THE SEAWOLVES
The two-time defending CCAA champions have a record of 37-5 in conference matches over the year two seasons. But after graduating two-time CCAA and West Region Player of the Year Caylie Seitz, the Seawolves have relied on a larger cast of attackers this year. They have five players averaging at least two kills per set, led by Rachel Andrews (2.50 kills/set, .371 pct., 23 total blocks), who has been one of the top middles in the league this season.

GUAGING THE GATORS
The Gators have struggled at the outset of 2016, with their only win coming Sept. 3 vs. Montana State Billings. They were swept by Sonoma State last weekend in their conference opener. SF State ranks better than the Pioneers in attack percentage (.168 to .158), but the Gators have allowed the highest opponents hitting percentage in the conference (.295). Their top attackers are Christine Johnson (2.81 kills/set) and Haley Halpert (2.14 kills/set).