ROHNERT PARK, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay volleyball team was defeated in four sets on Saturday evening by Sonoma State to finish its weekend with a split of its two road matches.

The Pioneers (15-10, 8-8 CCAA) also split their season series with the Seawolves (18-7, 12-4 CCAA) as both squads were victorious at home. East Bay, which last night clinched a second consecutive berth in the CCAA postseason, remains in third place in the North Division standings, while the first-place Seawolves extend their lead.

The home team came out hot and won the opening set handily, holding the East Bay attackers to an .059 hitting percentage. Game two was a different story, as the Pioneers hit .293, but the end result was the same. After a big run midway through the set put the Seawolves up 17-11, the Pioneers answered with a 9-2 to draw within one. They were never able to snag the lead, however, as Sonoma held on for a two-point win.

If there's any team that won't be intimidated by falling behind 0-2 on the road to the first-place team, it's Cal State East Bay. The Pioneers have played 10 five-set matches this season with a record of 9-1, and they have erased deficits several times, including last weekend at UC San Diego and last month against these same Seawolves. 

Although they ultimately lost, the Pioneers came out of intermission and played their best game of the night with their backs against the wall. East Bay grabbed a lead early in the third set and held it, limiting Sonoma to a .086 hitting percentage which prevented any big rallies by the home team. The Pioneers actually led most of the way in the fourth frame as well, but Sonoma was able to claw back and sneak out a three-point win.

East Bay out-hit the Seawolves for the night, .220 to .208, led by Kathy McKiernan (eight kills, .304 pct.), Deja Thompson (14 kills, .258 pct.), and Kiki Leuteneker (11 kills, .242 pct.). Thompson finished with a team-high five blocks, while Leuteneker posted four blocks and notched a double-double with 12 digs. 

Lindsey Ray was the third Pioneers in double-figure kills, tallying 10 to go along with nine digs. Setter Katie Ireland totaled 40 assists and 11 digs, and libero Brandi Brucato had a typically stellar effort in back, leading all players with 24 digs. 

Next up, CSUEB returns home to wrap up the regular season on Nov., 10 and 11 against Stanislaus State and Chico State. Next Saturday's finale vs. the Wildcats will be preceded by the annual "Senior Day" ceremony to honor Brucato, the lone senior on the 2017 squad.