HAYWARD, Calif. - In a thrilling CCAA volleyball match, the Cal State East Bay Pioneers pushed No. 19 Cal State Los Angeles to the brink before ultimately falling in an intense five-set contest. The Saturday afternoon showdown at Pioneer Gymnasium saw the home team come up just short, with a final score of 23-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-20, 15-7 in favor of the visitors.
The match was a seesaw battle from the opening serve, with neither team willing to give an inch. The Pioneers clinched the first set 25-23 thanks to a clutch performance by Lexi Pagani, who delivered back-to-back kills to break a 23-23 tie.
Cal State LA stormed back in the second set, racing to a commanding 10-2 lead. However, the resilient Pioneers clawed their way back, narrowing the gap to a single point multiple times. Despite facing set point at 24-21, East Bay showed tremendous grit with kills from Mia Jordan and Coco Ikpe. However, the Golden Eagles managed to hold on, leveling the match at one set apiece.
The third set was another battle, with the teams battling until the late stages. Trailing 19-17, the Pioneers unleashed a devastating seven-point run to reach set point. Although the Golden Eagles didn't let the Pioneers get an eighth consecutive point, Jada Stone sealed the deal with a powerful kill, putting East Bay up 2-1 in sets.
Not to be outdone, Cal State LA regrouped in the fourth set. After a 14-14 deadlock, the Golden Eagles went on a crucial six-point run. Despite East Bay's best efforts, the visitors forced a deciding fifth set with a 25-20 win.
In the final set, the teams were locked at 3-3 before Cal State LA unleashed a game-changing 9-1 run. The Golden Eagles rode this momentum to a 15-7 set win, clinching the match 3-2.
- Mia Jordan and Coco Ikpe led the offensive charge with 11 kills each.
- Pagani notched her fourth double-double in five matches, recording 10 kills and 12 digs.
- Jada Stone achieved her first career double-double with a team-high 24 assists and 12 digs.
- Kale'a Kuamo'o continued her stellar defensive play with 21 digs, maintaining her position as the CCAA leader in total digs (212) and digs per set (4.24) through Saturday's action.
- The Golden Eagles' Emily Elliott put on a show with an impressive 32 kills, the second-highest single-match total in the CCAA this season.
- Cal State LA finished with a .240 attack percentage to East Bay's .217.
Cal State East Bay: 7-7, 2-4 CCAA
No. 19 Cal State LA: 9-4, 4-2 CCAA
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UP NEXT FOR CAL STATE EAST BAY
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The Pioneers will look to bounce back in their next match, facing No. 7 Cal Poly Pomona on Friday, October 11 on the road. The match is set for a 3 p.m. start at Kellogg Gym in Pomona, California.
