HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay volleyball team fell in straight sets at home Friday night to visiting UC San Diego (23-25, 20-25, 18-25). 

The Pioneers fall to 5-8 for the season with a 1-4 mark in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) competition, while the Tritons improve to 7-5 overall and remain undefeated in CCAA play at 4-0. 

East Bay had its best chance to take control of the match in the first set. Despite being out-hit .333 to .186 for the frame and trailing 21-14 at one point, the Pioneers staged a huge comeback. They went on a 7-1 run to get within one point, but couldn't quite get over the hump as the Tritons hung on for a two-point win.

The second set was a tight, back-and-forth affair nearly the entire way. The Pioneers hit .314 in game two and made just one attack error, but UCSD got it done in the end, winning the final four points to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.

The visitors then held CSUEB to a .167 attack percentage in the third game and pulled away late to complete the sweep. 

Kiki Leuteneker had another efficient night on the attack, leading the Pioneers with 13 kills and a .324 hitting percentage. Deja Thompson added nine kills, and Julie Navarro tallied seven from the right side.

Setter Katie Ireland posted a double-double with 28 assists and 12 digs, and the sophomore also scored three kills without an error.

Libero Brandi Brucato racked up 19 digs to lead all players in the match. She continues to rank second among all CCAA players averaging 5.24 digs per set.

For the night, UCSD out-hit East Bay .299 to .217, and they topped the Pioneers in kills, 50 to 38. The Tritons also tallied seven service aces, while CSUEB scored just one. 

The Pioneers are back in action tomorrow night to wrap up the homestand and ring in October, hosting Cal State San Marcos on Saturday at 7 p.m.