HAWARD, Calif., -- Pioneer Gymnasium was packed tonight for Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night as the Cal State East Bay volleyball team took on California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) North Division foes Chico State Friday night.
 
The Pioneers put up a valiant effort in front of their home team fans but ultimately fell in straight set, marking their fifth straight loss. East Bay moves to 1-10 on the season with an 0-3 mark in league play.
 
Each set the Pioneers showed mental toughness and played with maximum effort. The Wildcats, who improved to 6-4 on the season, posted a .278 hitting percentage on the night. East Bay finished the contest with a .257 hitting percentage.
 
East Bay showed great resolve throughout the match, battling back from from an early 6-2 deficit in the opening set and deadlocked the game at 22-all. The Wildcats would end up taking the set 28-26. The Pioneers also found themselves down 13-4 midway through the second set before going on a 15-7 run to come within one point of the Wildcats.
 
In the final set of the match, East Bay and Chico State split the first 12 points before the visitors claimed a 16-12 advantage. The Wildcats would take the match sweep and the victory.
 
Junior Tiana Weeks paced the Pioneers with 11 kills and 12 points to go along with two digs and two blocks. A trio of Pioneers notched seven kills each in the contest.
 
Steena Hubbard compiled seven kills while leading East Bay with a team best five blocks. Hubbard tallied 11.5 points. Kara Green also finished with seven kills. Green added five digs, two assists and 10 points. Green and Hubbard both racked up a team-high two service aces each. Tayler Templeman chipped in seven kills and seven digs, which was second on the team for the match.
 
Eliza Cannon turned in her fourth consecutive game with double figure assists as she finished with 20 to lead the Pioneers. Cannon also tallied three blocks. Audrey Lamoureux added 12 assists with a kill and a dig.
 
Sarah Stevelinck recorded 12 digs to lead the Pioneers and Natahlee Wilson finished with six digs. Kelly Jing-min Markham finished with five kills and three blocks.
 
The Pioneers will wrap up their weekend home slate with a match against Stanislaus State, another North Division opponent, Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. in Pioneer Gymnasium.