HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay volleyball team had the best record in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) through the first 10 matches of the season. The Pioneers then embarked on perhaps their toughest road trip of the year and suffered a pair of setbacks with four-set losses at Cal Poly Pomona and No. 22 ranked Cal State San Bernardino. 

East Bay has now returned to NorCal, but the team's trip continues with two more road contests over the next week. It's just the third week of conference play, but in a bit of schedule quirkiness, the Pioneers will take on both Cal State Monterey Bay and Humboldt State for the second time this season.

CSUEB visits the Kelp Bed Friday evening for a 7 p.m. showdown with the Otters, who will be looking to even the score after the Pioneers handed them a four-set loss in the CCAA opener. After getting the rest of the weekend off, East Bay then makes the tough trek up to Arcata for a Tuesday night match against Humboldt State on Oct. 3. Lumberjack Arena is always a difficult place to win, and that will especially be true next Tuesday as the Jacks hope to avenge their five-set loss to CSUEB in Pioneer Gym.

PIONEER POINTS
Despite a pair of tough losses last week, the Pioneers still rank among the top offensive teams in the CCAA. They currently rank fourth in the conference with a .222 hitting percentage, and have allowed second-fewest blocks of any team in the league. 

The squad has spread its scoring around, with the top four attackers all averaging between 2.17 and 2.94 kills per set. Junior Kiki Leuteneker leads the way, ranking in the top 10 in the CCAA in both points and kills per set. She now has 740 career kills, one shy of tying for seventh place in program history.

Sophomore Lindsey Ray has totaled 23 service aces in the young season, the most of any player in the conference. Junior Kathy McKiernan continues to lead the CCAA in hitting percentage, boasting a .405 mark for the season.

Libero Brandi Brucato checks in at fifth place in the CCAA, averaging 4.36 digs per set. On Saturday, the senior became the fourth Pioneer ever to record 1,100 career digs, passing former teammate Angie Maina on the all-time list. She needs just four more on Friday to leapfrog Jackie Randolph into the No. 3 spot.

POSTSEASON DREAMS
After making the CCAA playoffs for the first time in program history last season and returning nearly the entire starting lineup, the Pioneers have high expectations for themselves in 2017. And although they're only four matches into the conference slate, this upcoming week is crucial. Cal State Monterey Bay and Humboldt State are both among the teams East Bay will be battling against for the North Division's four postseason spots. 

Click here to view the current CCAA standings and stat leaders.