HAYWARD, Calif., -- The Cal State East Bay volleyball team played perhaps its most impressive match of the season on Saturday, defeating Humboldt State in straight sets inside Pioneer Gymnasium. 
 
The annual "Senior Day" match was preceded by a brief ceremony to honor the career of the lone senior on this year's squad, libero and defensive specialist Natahlee Wilson. The Riverside, Calif., native has been an exemplary student-athlete on and off the court over the last four years, and racked up eight digs and an assist tonight in her final home contest.

"It was a great environment for out team tonight," expressed CSUEB Head Coach Kimberly Lambert. "Everyone came together to celebrate Natahlee Wilson's volleyball career here at East Bay. The team competed well and put forth a great effort." 

It was also an outstanding evening for the CSUEB attackers, who tallied 48 kills in three sets, while making just 13 attack errors the entire match. East Bay's .267 hitting percentage for the night was the team's highest in a single match this season.
 
East Bay hit .300, while Humboldt State checked in at .188 in the opening set of action. The Pioneers went ahead early 16-7, but a 9-4 scoring run put the Pioneers on top 20-16. East Bay appeared to be in good shape as they closed the set with a 25-18 win.
 
However, the Lumberjacks gave the Pioneers all they could handle in the second set. Similar to the previous set, CSUEB jumped out to a 14-8 lead, before the HSU fought back to knot the match at 20-20 after a 12-6 run. East Bay responded by scoring the next five points and wrapped up the set with a 25-22 win to snag a 2-0 lead heading into the break.
 
The Lumberjacks may have had some wind let out of their sails after a thrilling first two sets, while the Pioneers used it as a springboard. The home team proceeded to hit .293 and run away with the third set 25-13 and the match victory.
 
A pair of Pioneers notched double doubles in the contest as Eliza Cannon finished with 37 assists and 11 digs. Cannon added eight kills and two blocks while scoring 9.5 total points. Kara Green collected a team best 11 kills with 11 digs and three assists with a team high 12.5 points. 
 
Steena Hubbard was second on the squad with 10 kills, while leading the team with three blocks. Hubbard added four digs and 12 points. Sarah Stevelinck paced the Pioneers with 20 digs. Bella Carrion added 10 digs for the team. Julie May chipped in nine kills, four digs and nine points.
 
The Pioneers will turn around and play the same Humboldt State squad tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 inside Pioneer Gymnasium. The match will be scored as a home contest for Humboldt State.