ARCATA, Calif. – On Thursday, CCAA conference play began for the 2022 season for the Cal State East Bay women's volleyball team, as the Pioneers played in a road match at Cal Poly Humboldt. As the Pioneers took a seven-match win streak into Lumberjack Arena, the outlook did not seem encouraging early with the first two sets going to Humboldt. However, a 25-23 third set win was the start of three unanswered set wins to take the match 3-2 (18-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-17, 15-9).
Tied at 16-16 in the first set, the Lumberjacks scored eight straight points, reaching set point. Although the Pioneers prolonged the set by taking the next two points, a kill by Lindsey McLaughlin sealed the opening set in favor of CPH, 25-18.
Cal State East Bay fell behind early in the second set, trailing by as much as seven points. And despite coming back to eventually take an 18-17 lead, Humboldt finished the set on an 8-2 run for a 25-20 set win to lead 2-0.
Needing to win the third set to avoid a sweep, the Pioneers only trailed at 2-2. And with not falling behind in the set, even though Humboldt was close to a sweep, trailing 24-23, a kill from
Mia Jordan secured the third set for Cal State East Bay to force a fourth set.
Cal State East Bay led for much of set four, and closed it out with four straight points, with the three final points coming off kills from Jordan,
Kara Green and
Alexandria Gloria to force a fifth and deciding set.
Tied at two sets apiece, the Pioneers jumped out ahead to a quick 10-2 lead. Although the Lumberjacks were able to regain some ground, trailing by as little as five points down the stretch, the match was decided on a kill by Green for a 15-9 set win and a 3-2 match victory, as Cal State East Bay extended its win streak to eight by taking this season's conference opener.
- Jordan had 14 kills on Thursday, with a .393 attack percentage.
- Gloria and Green each had 12 kills.
- With a season-high 34 assists on Thursday was Megan Crecelius.
- Defensively, Jordan had three total blocks.
- Ali Santoyo led the Pioneers in digs with 17.
Following the match, Cal State East Bay head coach
Kimberly Lambert spoke about the team's depth.
"The depth of the team showed tonight. Ali Santoyo had a great match tonight and gave our setter, Megan [Crecelius], the opportunity to utilize our offense. Kara Green and Mia Jordan didn't back off when we were down and Tiana Weeks was nails in the first contact."
Cal State East Bay: 8-1,1-0 CCAA
Cal Poly Humboldt: 1-3, 0-1 CCAA
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UP NEXT FOR CAL STATE EAST BAY |
The Pioneers play their second straight CCAA road match this coming Saturday. They take on Sonoma State with a 3 p.m. start from The Wolves' Den in Rohnert Park, California.
