HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay volleyball has had an up-and-down start to its California Collegiate Association (CCAA) schedule thus far. After sweeping the opening week, the Pioneers dropped a pair of matches in Southern California. They came back north last week and pulled out a thrilling five-set victory at Cal State Monterey Bay on Friday before falling on the road at Humboldt State this past Tuesday.

Now with approximately half the regular season schedule in the books, the Pioneers are in solid position in the North Division standings as the team strives for its second straight trip to the CCAA postseason. With its 3-3 mark, East Bay is tied with Monterey Bay for second place in the North (and hold the tie-breaker with two victories over the Otters).

The only team ahead of the Pioneers in the division standings is the same one that visits Hayward Friday night, and it also happens to be the hottest team in the league. Sonoma State has a perfect 7-0 record since the start of CCAA competition, which includes a victory over nationally-ranked Cal State San Bernardino. The Seawolves are perhaps the top offensive team in the conference, ranking first in kills per set and second with a .260 hitting percentage. Setter Courtney Seda leads the CCAA in assists (11.25 per set), middle blocker Morgan Annala is at the top of the hitting percentage rankings (.386), and Caiti Wiesner and Calan Seitz are among the leading attackers in conference on the outside. 

Friday's match is also the annual October "Dig Pink" Night at Pioneer Gym. Fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of breast cancer research and awareness. Event staff will be accepting donations throughout the evening, with all proceeds benefitting the Side-out Foundation's Dig Pink campaign. 

The following night, the Pioneers welcome another local foe into town for another crucial matchup in the North Division. After taking on CSUMB on Friday, SF State with make the trip over the Bay for the first of two showdowns this season between East Bay and the Gators. SF State's only CCAA victories so far have come against winless Stanislaus State, but they rank right behind CSUEB with a .201 team attack percentage. The Gators have five attackers averaging at least two kills per set, led by Brenna Doughtery (2.67 per set). Middle blocker Lauren Williams (2.18 kills/set, 0.98 blocks/set, .364 pct.) has been impressive this season as well. 

Next Tuesday, CSUEB will play its final non-conference game when Hawaii Hilo visits Pioneer Gym as part of a trip through Northern California. The Vulcans have been inconsistent, sporting a 5-7 overall record. They are hitting just .165 as a team, but boast a few solid victories, having beaten Alaska, SF State, and Point Loma. Hilo libero Mina Grant ranks among the West Region leaders with 5.19 digs per set. 

For the Pioneers, this week's slate looms large as the team has a chance to improve its North Division record to 5-1. Last Friday's triumph in Seaside was an instant classic, well-played by both squads until the dramatic fifth set. East Bay managed a 6-0 run to close the match and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The hero in that contest was sophomore Lindsey Ray, who led the team with 17 kills and racked up seven in the final frame. She scored four of CSUEB's last five points during that furious comeback, including the game-winning kill. 

Ray was also outstanding against Humboldt State, despite a frustrating Pioneer loss on the always-difficult road trip to Arcata. Once again she led the team in kills, racking up 13 in four sets to go along with four aces, five blocks, 12 digs, and a .297 hitting percentage. The Long Beach native has now recorded seven double-doubles in 14 matches, and she has reached double figures in kills in six of her last seven contests.

This veteran-laden East Bay squad has several student-athletes who have been playing regularly since they were freshmen, and therefore a few Pioneers continue to climb up the program's all-time rankings. Last week with 11 kills at CSUMB, junior Kiki Leuteneker passed Kitona Offord into the No. 7 position in total kills. She has 754 career kills heading into this weekend and needs 32 more to match Marion Champion for sixth place. Senior Brandi Brucato also passed a milestone against the Otters, leapfrogging Jackie Randolph for third place on the all-time digs list. Now with 1,145 career digs, former teammate Veronica Sanchez is next in her sights. Brucato needs 114 more scoops to move up to the No. 2 spot.