HAYWARD, Calif. -- Cal State East Bay interim head volleyball coach Kimberly Lambert has announced that Pioneer alumnae Ashia Joseph and Leslie Ray will round out the team's coaching staff for the upcoming 2018 season.

Joseph returns to CSUEB after spending the past two seasons as an assistant coach at Mills College, which competes in NCAA Division III. She also spent two years as a coach for Core Volleyball Club in Dublin, Calif. A native of Hawaii, Joseph transferred to East Bay in 2013 after capturing the Junior College national championship at College of Southern Idaho. She competed for the Pioneers for two seasons, playing 57 matches as the starting setter. During that time she racked up 1,865 assists, which ranks fifth in program history.

"I am thrilled to bring Ashia on staff as she will be a huge asset to our players and team culture," Lambert said. "With Ashia's knowledge and first-hand experience running our offense just a few years ago, she will help build continuity in the program. As a student-athlete, her effort and hard work were contagious and I have no doubt that she will excel as a coach here at East Bay."

A native of Long Beach and former All-American at Long Beach Poly High School, Ray competed for the Pioneers for three years and led the team in digs as a senior in 2011. After graduating, she spent five seasons as an assistant coach at CSUEB alongside Lambert and former head coach Jim Spagle. Ray also spent five years with Xceleration Volleyball Club in Martinez, Calif. as a coach before being named Club Director last year.

"Leslie has been a huge part of our program and will continue to lead our student athletes with the utmost pride in representing CSUEB," Lambert commented. "Her role with the team has been so important during her time here, and I am excited to maintain her continued presence on staff. She is one of the most genuine people I know and she continues to impress me with her drive and motivation to positively impact our student-athletes."

The Pioneers begin their 2018 regular season and their quest for a third straight CCAA postseason appearance on the road when they travel to Golden, Colo. to compete in the Colorado School of Mines Oredigger Classic on Aug. 24-25.