HAYWARD, Calif., -- After over year away from competition, the Cal State East Bay volleyball team returned to action Thursday evening against Academy of Art inside Pioneer Gymnasium.
 
Although the Pioneers fell to the Urban Knights 3-1, East Bay put forth a valiant effort in front of the Pioneer faithful. CSUEB opened the match by taking the first set 25-23 after being down 11-4 early in the moments of the game. ART U would go on to take the next three sets 28-26, 25-18 and 25-19.
 
Despite the loss, plenty of Pioneers played well in their first performance of the season. Newcomer Breyan Ashley shined bright in her Pioneer debut falling just kill short of a double-double. Ashley led East Bay with 15 points, including a team high 13 digs to go along with nine kills and five blocks which also led the team. Kara Green notched 14 points with a team high 12 kills, five digs and two blocks.
 
Sophomore Mia Jordan collected 10 kills and one dig in her first official game as a Pioneer. Fellow sophomore Megan Crecelius tallied a team best 19 assists while adding two aces, four kills and four digs. Freshman Peyton Griffin also finished with 14 assists and four digs. Chloe Ortega compiled nine digs and four assists while Taylor Miche added eight digs, two aces and two assists.
 
The Pioneers will continue play in the 2021 NorCal Kickoff with a pair games tomorrow against Dominican at 12:30 p.m. and Holy Names at 5:30 p.m. Both games will take place at the Conlan Center in San Rafael, Calif.