ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – After winning a pair of matches on Friday in the NorCal Classic, the Cal State East Bay women's volleyball team returned to The Wolves' Den for one final non-conference match before 2022 CCAA action begins. In a four set victory, the Pioneers avenged a season-opening loss to Holy Names on Saturday evening. Cal State East Bay hos now won seven straight matches to complete the non-conference portion of their 2022 schedule.
The opening set was very tightly contested, with neither team leading by more than three points throughout the set. The Pioneers reached set point ahead 24-22, but HNU took four straight points for an opening set win of 26-24.
Much like the first set, the second set was evenly played. Once again, CSUEB reached set point ahead 24-22. While HNU took the next point on a kill by Lille Tuivailala, a service error by the Hawks followed to clinch the set for the Pioneers for a 25-23 win to even the match at 1-1.
HNU led by as much as five points in the third set, and eventually led 18-14. But from that point, Cal State East Bay scored the next five points, and regained the lead on a block from
Megan Crecelius and
Bella Marvin for a 19-18 lead. Although HNU tied the set thereafter on two occasions, the Pioneers prevailed 25-21 and took a 2-1 lead in sets.
Trailing 16-14 in set four, the Pioneers went on a run of nine unanswered points for a 23-16 lead as match point was in reach. Although HNU got back the next four points, Cal State East Bay got to match point on a kill from
Lexi Pagani. After a point was scored for the Hawks to briefly prolong the match, Pagani's next kill decided the set at 25-21 and ultimately the match at 3-1 in favor of the Pioneers.
- With seven straight wins, the current winning streak for Cal State East Bay is the longest since 2018.
- Pagani finished with a season-high 19 kills on Saturday.
- Mia Jordan had 13 kills with a .478 attack percentage.
- Pagani also contributed defensively, with a team-high five blocks.
- Kara Green and Taylor Miche had 21 digs each.
Cal State East Bay head coach
Kimberly Lambert following Saturday's victory:
"Proud of the entire team for their continued growth over the preseason. We have player that wear many hats for us and they are really stepping up to the plate in crunch moments. I look forward to seeing how that will transition into conference play next week."
Cal State East Bay: 7-1
Holy Names: 5-3
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UP NEXT FOR CAL STATE EAST BAY |
CCAA conference play begins on Thursday, September 8 for the Pioneers with a road match at Cal Poly Humboldt. First serve from Lumberjack Arena is set for 5 p.m.
