MARQUETTE, Mich. — Cal State East Bay continued play at the UP North Tournament on Friday, falling in three sets to Minnesota Duluth, 25-21, 25-18, 25-23, at Vandament Arena.
The opening set stayed competitive throughout much of the frame, featuring five ties and two lead changes. East Bay finished with 11 kills in the set, but Minnesota Duluth found enough separation down the stretch to take the opener, 25-21.
The Bulldogs carried that momentum into the second set. East Bay recorded 10 kills in the frame, but Minnesota Duluth produced its strongest offensive stretch of the match to that point, hitting .308 with 17 kills on the way to a 25-18 win and a 2-0 advantage.
East Bay responded with its best offensive set of the morning in the third.
The Pioneers committed just one attack error on 28 attempts, finishing the set with 10 kills and a .321 hitting percentage. The frame remained close with four ties, but Minnesota Duluth countered with 16 kills and a .355 hitting percentage before holding off East Bay for the 25-23 decision.
Barakat Adekola led the East Bay attack with nine kills and added eight digs, two service aces and a solo block. Saniya Kimbrough provided an efficient performance with seven kills on 16 attempts and a .313 hitting percentage, while Lamona Lauhingoa added five kills.
Pi'ilani Carvalho finished with 25 assists and nine digs, while Kale'a Kuamo'o led the Pioneers defensively with 11 digs and added three service aces. Carys Fouser recorded three kills without an attack error on seven attempts for a .429 hitting percentage.
East Bay finished with 31 kills, 44 digs and nine service aces while hitting .178 for the match. Minnesota Duluth recorded 45 kills and 57 digs while hitting .235.
Cal State East Bay moves to 0-2 on the season and will close out play at the UP North Tournament against Michigan Tech on Saturday.
