SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay volleyball team suffered its first California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) loss of the season and saw its four-match winning streak snapped on Friday evening, as the Pioneers fell on the road at the hands of No. 22 Cal State San Bernardino.

The Coyotes (6-5, 2-1 CCAA) won in straight sets over the Pioneers (8-3, 2-1 CCAA), the exact same margin by which they defeated CSUEB last season at the CCAA Tournament. San Bernardino posted a .333 hitting percentage for the match, while holding East Bay to a .137 mark.

Despite their first three-set loss of the season, the Pioneers put up a strong fight on this night, showing their improvement since last November as this squad looks to grow into a championship contender.

The opening set was a thriller, and if East Bay was going to have a chance to pull off the road upset, it likely needed to squeak that one out. The teams traded scoring runs back and forth with the Coyotes holding a narrow lead most of the way. The Pioneers fought off set point a couple times and tied the score 24-24, but the home team was able to seal the narrow victory with two straight kills. 

The Pioneers hit just .057 in game two and were defeated easily, but they didn't roll over and accept a sweep loss. East Bay came out with intensity in the third set and grabbed an early lead. At the midway point it was tied 15-15, but that was when San Bernardino took over. The Pioneers hit a respectable .231 in the final frame, but it wasn't enough to overcome a powerful Coyote offense led by outside hitter Lauren Nicholson (16 kills). 

Sophomore Lindsey Ray had a strong performance, posting a double-double and leading the team in both kills (11) and digs (15). She also racked up five service aces to add to her team-best total. 

Junior Kiki Leuteneker was the team's second leading scorer, tallying nine kills with a .227 hitting percentage. 

In the middle, Kathy McKiernan hit .375 but took just eight swings, totaling four kills and three total blocks. Deja Thompson added six kills, and freshman Tiana Weeks contributed five on the right side. 

Setters Katie Ireland and Audrey Lamoureux posted identical assist totals with 17 apiece.

The Pioneers will look to put this loss behind them and turn quickly to another tough road matchup Saturday evening. They will look to get back in the win column when the visit Cal Poly Pomona for a 7 p.m. contest.