HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay volleyball team lost at home for the second straight night -- and just the second time this season -- on Saturday, falling in four sets to Cal State Dominguez Hills at Pioneer Gym. 

It was a tight contest throughout the evening, but for the second night in a row, the Pioneers struggled near the end of sets. The loss drops them to 13-8 overall with an even 6-6 record in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) matches.

East Bay actually out-hit the Toros .263 to .232 for the match, although that was largely on the strength of a .341 to .111 advantage in the second set, the only one in which the Pioneers were victorious. And with the exception of that second game, the home team was unable to rattle off any scoring runs to grab narrow leads away from the visitors and potentially flip momentum in their favor.

For the second night in a row, the Pioneer attackers posted solid statistics, but they allowed six service aces and their defense wasn't consistently good enough to do what they've been doing at home most of the season -- put teams away and come up with big points in tight, tense situations. 

Kiki Leuteneker hit .314 and paced the Pioneers with 13 kills. Lindsey Ray added 10 kills on a team-high 38 attempts, and she also posted 15 digs to notch a double-double. 

Katie Ireland also reached a double-double with 12 digs and 41 assists while serving as the primary setter. Senior Brandi Brucato racked up 17 scoops at the libero position to lead the team. 

Middle blocker Kathy McKiernan and right side hitter Julie Navarro both had impressive performances, totaling nine kills and four total blocks apiece. Navarro hit .276 on 29 attempts, while McKiernan posted a team-high .474 hitting percentage. 

Next up, the Pioneers embark on a tough four-match road trip as they look to hang on in the race for the CCAA postseason. The team will take on two extremely tough opponents next week when they visit Cal State San Marcos and UC San Diego on Friday and Saturday.