SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Cal State East Bay closed out its first weekend of CCAA play Saturday evening with a three-set loss to unbeaten Cal State San Bernardino, 25-20, 25-15, 25-21, at Coussoulis Arena.
Coming off Friday's conference-opening victory at Cal State San Marcos, the Pioneers faced a San Bernardino team that entered the match unbeaten on the season.
East Bay stayed with the Coyotes throughout a back-and-forth opening set that featured seven ties and four lead changes. The Pioneers recorded 11 kills in the frame before San Bernardino created enough separation late for a 25-20 win.
The Coyotes found their strongest offensive stretch in the second, hitting .455 with 13 kills and only three attack errors. East Bay also recorded 11 kills in the frame, but San Bernardino took the set 25-15 to move ahead 2-0.
East Bay responded with another competitive frame in the third. The set featured four ties and three lead changes as the Pioneers looked to extend the match, but the Coyotes closed out the night with a 25-21 victory.
Lamona Lauhingoa led the East Bay attack with 12 kills on 31 attempts and added five digs and two block assists. Gianna Navarro contributed seven kills while hitting .278.
The Pioneers also found success from the service line. Barakat Adekola recorded three of East Bay's six aces while adding a team-high eight digs. Pi'ilani Carvalho finished with 22 assists, seven digs and two service aces.
Natali Herrera added three kills on nine attempts with just one error, while Carys Fouser recorded three kills and contributed a solo block and a block assist.
East Bay finished with 32 kills, 25 assists, six service aces and 30 digs while hitting .144. Cal State San Bernardino recorded 37 kills and hit .321 for the match.
