HAYWARD, Calif. – The Cal State East Bay women's volleyball team was up to the task on Thursday, defeating (RV) Sonoma State, 3-1 (25-22, 25-21, 21-25, 25-23) inside Pioneer Gymnasium. The Pioneers have qualified for the 2022 CCAA Tournament, as it will be the program's first appearance in the postseason since 2018.
Although the Seawolves led early in set one, by as much as six points on multiple occasions, the Pioneers battled back. Trailing 22-19 late in the set,
Alyssa Zaragoza had a kill to begin a run of six unanswered points for CSUEB, as the Pioneers won set one, 25-22.
Lexi Pagani had five kills in the opening set.
Similar to the opening set, the Pioneers trailed late, but finished the set with an unanswered run, as the final five points of the set were in favor of Cal State East Bay. A kill from
Mia Jordan closed out the set, 25-21 as the Pioneers led 2-0 in sets.
Sonoma State took set three, 25-21 to prolong the match by forcing a fourth set.
Set four was a very evenly played match, with 14 ties and six lead changes. Cal State East Bay completed a 3-1 victory by winning match point on a kill from
Karis Carter.
- Pagani had a team high 16 kills and with her 16 digs, reached a double-double for the fifth time this season.
- The only service ace for the Pioneers on Thursday was from Alexandria Gloria.
- Defensively, Taylor Miche had 22 digs and Jordan had six total blocks.
- The 19 wins on the season is the most for the program with Kimberly Lambert serving in her role as head coach.
Lambert added her thoughts following Thursday's victory:
"Such a great night for East Bay Volleyball – to have a huge matchup in our home gym and solidify a spot in the conference tournament is big time. The team has been focused on big goals over the past year and they have collectively bought in to achieving them. They fought as one unit tonight and I could not be more proud of the effort."
Cal State East Bay: 19-6, 12-5 CCAA
(RV) Sonoma State: 18-7, 11-6 CCAA
|
|
UP NEXT FOR CAL STATE EAST BAY |
The final regular season match of 2022 for the Pioneers takes place this coming Saturday at 5 p.m. when they host Cal Poly Humboldt. It will be Senior Night, as Cal State East Bay will honor the team's only senior,
Tiana Weeks, prior to the match. In the previous matchup between CSUEB and the Lumberjacks on September 8, the Pioneers opened CCAA action with a 3-2 win.
Although the Pioneers have clinched a spot in next week's CCAA Tournament, their matchup has not been determined. Action throughout the conference on Friday and Saturday will have seeding implications, including Cal State East Bay's match. Five of the six available spots in the tournament have been clinched through Thursday.
