CAL STATE EAST BAY (5-7, 1-3 CCAA) vs. UC SAN DIEGO (6-5, 3-0 CCAA)
Friday, Sept. 30 • 7 p.m.

CSUEB vs. CAL STATE SAN MARCOS (8-4, 1-2 CCAA)
Saturday, Oct. 1 • 7 p.m.

Pioneer Gymnasium • Hayward, Calif.
Live Stats

HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay volleyball team continues its homestand this weekend with a pair of conference matches against tough Southern California opponents. The Pioneers welcome in UC San Diego Friday evening, following by Cal State San Marcos Saturday evening, with both matches set for 7 p.m.

The Tritons enter the week undefeated in conference play, and they lead the CCAA in blocks. The Pioneers will have to find a way to contain UCSD middle Meagan Wright, who has been dominant averaging 4.22 kills per set.

This will be the second trip to Hayward this fall for CSUSM, which posted a perfect 4-0 record at the Division II West Region Showcase. Since then, they have a win and two losses against league competition. The Cougars have five players averaging at least two kills per set, led by Madi Anderson (2.90 k/set) and Maddy Newcombe (.315 pct.)

WEEK IN REVIEW
CSUEB suffered its third straight defeat to open the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) schedule last Friday with a four-set loss to two-time defending champion Sonoma State. The match was tight, particularly through the first two sets, but the Pioneers were unable to consistently defend the Seawolf attackers, who hit .240 and bested the Pioneers 59-49 in kills. Three Pioneers posted double-doubles in the loss, led by Deja Thompson with 15 kills.

On Saturday, East Bay picked up its first CCAA win with a straight set victory over rival SF State. Four of the team's five wins this season have been in three sets. Kiki Leuteneker paced the offense with 13 kills and a .375 attack percentage, while the East Bay defense held the Gators to .036 hitting and just 24 total kills.

PIONEER POINTS
For the season, CSUEB leads the CCAA in digs per set (20.51), paced by Brandi Brucato (5.16 per set) and Katie Ireland (4.46), who rank second and seventh in the conference, respectively. Ireland also ranks sixth amongst CCAA setters averaging 8.98 assists per set. 

East Bay is holding opponents to a .167 hitting percentage, fourth best in the CCAA. They're also allowing just 1.33 blocks per set by their opponents, the second-fewest in the league. 

Offensively, Thompson is tenth among CCAA attackers averaging 2.95 kills per set. She is one of three Pioneers scoring at least two kills per frame, joining Leuteneker (2.79 per set) and Julie Navarro (2.30 per set).