HAYWARD, Calif. — Cal State East Bay went the distance for the third consecutive match Saturday, battling Westmont through five sets before falling 25-22, 21-25, 25-18, 19-25, 15-10 at Pioneer Gymnasium.
After Westmont took the opening set 25-22, East Bay responded in the second. The frame featured eight ties and two lead changes as the Pioneers recorded 16 kills with just two attack errors, hitting .341 on the way to a 25-21 win that evened the match.
Westmont regained control in the third, holding East Bay to nine kills and taking the set 25-18 to move within one frame of the match.
Once again, the Pioneers answered.
East Bay posted its highest hitting percentage of the match in the fourth, recording 17 kills with only one attack error on 28 attempts for a .571 hitting percentage. The Pioneers took the set 25-19 and forced their third consecutive five-set match.
Westmont established the advantage in the deciding frame and held East Bay to six kills. The Warriors finished the fifth with nine kills while hitting .350 and secured the match with a 15-10 win.
Lamona Lauhingoa led East Bay with 23 kills on 57 attacks while hitting .263. Barakat Adekola added 16 kills on .275 hitting and 13 digs for a double-double.
Natali Herrera continued her efficient start to the season with nine kills on 19 attacks and only two errors for a .368 hitting percentage. Carys Fouser added seven kills with just one error on 12 attempts, hitting .500, while Malayah Adams finished with seven kills.
Pi'ilani Carvalho directed the offense with 49 assists and added 16 digs. Kale'a Kuamo'o led the Pioneers with 24 digs, while Lauhingoa added five digs and a service ace.
East Bay finished with 67 kills, 63 assists and 79 digs while hitting .287 for the match. Westmont recorded 68 kills and hit .280.
Cal State East Bay moves to 1-5 on the season and returns to action Friday at Cal State San Marcos. First serve is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at The Sports Center.
