HAYWARD, Calif. — Cal State East Bay Athletics has named eight student-athletes its October 2026 Pioneers of the Month, recognizing representatives from volleyball, soccer, golf, cross country and swimming: Natali Herrera, Kiichi Murakami, Daniela Aceves, Nate Frink, Coco Trotter, Yosef Amaha, Jen Johnson and Taylor Kolsch.

Selected by the head coaches of their respective sports, the eight honorees were recognized for their contributions throughout October. This month's recipients delivered standout performances on the court, course and pitch, along with top cross-country finishes and two individual swimming victories.

Natali Herrera | Women's Volleyball
Junior middle blocker Natali Herrera contributed on both sides of the net during October. She recorded four kills without an error on six attempts in East Bay's sweep of Stanislaus State, then added five kills and four blocks in the Pioneers' comeback victory over Cal State Monterey Bay. The Pioneers completed the rally after dropping the first two sets.

Kiichi Murakami | Men's Soccer
Senior forward Kiichi Murakami brings international experience to the Pioneer attack. The Cañada College transfer scored in consecutive matches against Fresno Pacific and UC Merced, with his goal against Fresno Pacific serving as the game-winner in East Bay's 3–2 victory. Murakami was named to the 2026 CCAA All-Conference team as an Honorable Mention. He finished the season with three goals, including one game-winner.

Daniela Aceves | Women's Soccer
A sophomore defender and business major, Daniela Aceves transferred from CSU Bakersfield and chose East Bay to represent her community and join a program with an established culture and history in the CCAA. She played all 90 minutes against Cal Poly Pomona on Oct. 17. Aceves also forced an early save with a shot in the Pioneers' 3–0 road win at Cal State Dominguez Hills on Oct. 11 and played all 90 minutes against Cal State Monterey Bay on Oct. 25.

Nate Frink | Men's Golf
Competing as Nathaniel Frink, the Pioneer golfer opened the fall season with a top-10 finish at the Wildcat Classic. Frink tied for seventh at 8-under-par 208, closing with consecutive rounds of 68 to help East Bay tie for third in the team standings. The tournament was played at Peach Tree Golf & Country Club, where East Bay finished at 28-under. Frink later carded a 73 in the second round of the DII Shootout at PGA Riviera Maya as the Pioneers tied for fifth.
 
Coco Trotter | Women's Golf
Freshman Colette "Coco" Trotter led the Pioneers at the Westmont Invitational. She tied for eighth with a two-round score of 151, opening with an even-par 73 and helping East Bay secure third place in the nine-team field. She closed with a 78 in the final round as East Bay posted a team score of 615 (+31), with three Pioneers finishing in the top 20.

Yosef Amaha | Men's Cross Country
Junior Yosef Amaha reached a personal milestone at the Saint Mary's Invitational, completing the 8K course in a personal-best 24:55.9. That performance moved the civil engineering major to sixth on East Bay's all-time 8K list at the time of the meet. At the Oct. 3 Cougar Challenge, Amaha placed 22nd in 25:27.7 as East Bay's second finisher; the Pioneers tied for fourth.

Jen Johnson | Women's Cross Country
Jennifer "Jen" Johnson paced the Pioneers at the San Francisco State Invitational on Oct. 9. Johnson completed the 6K course at Golden Gate Park in 23:47.7, finishing 40th overall and leading East Bay's runners across the finish line. Her 23:47.7 was 1:15.6 faster than her season-opening 6K time of 25:03.3 at the USF Invite. Hope Brookins followed in 58th at 24:20.9 and Gaby Sanchez in 73rd at 24:54.7, giving East Bay three finishers in the top 75.

Taylor Kolsch | Women's Swimming
Senior backstroke specialist Taylor Kolsch earned PCSC Female Athlete of the Week honors for Oct. 12–18 following two individual victories at the Slug Shootout. She won the 100-yard backstroke in 58.53 seconds and the 200-yard backstroke in 2:08.19, finishing nearly five seconds ahead of the field in the latter event. At the time, her 100 backstroke ranked second among conference times, while the 200 was fastest against PCSC competition. Both times ranked 36th in the NCAA.

Cal State East Bay Athletics congratulates October's Pioneers of the Month and celebrates their contributions to their respective programs.

For news, schedules and updates on Cal State East Bay Athletics, visit EastBayPioneers.com.