HONOLULU — Cal State East Bay opened the 2025 season in strong fashion Thursday afternoon, sweeping Hawai'i Pacific at the HPU Shark Tank. The Pioneers battled through tight stretches, including a dramatic second-set rally, before closing out a 25-20, 27-25, 25-12 win.
The turning point came in the second set, when the Pioneers erased a 24-19 deficit by scoring six straight points, capped by a kill from Barakat Adekola. That comeback shifted momentum permanently in East Bay's favor as they closed the match with a dominant third set.
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BY SET SUMMARY |
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First set (25-20): East Bay surged ahead early behind kills from Makaiya Gerhardt and Jada Stone, along with a service ace from Fane Paua. Hawai'i Pacific chipped away late, cutting the deficit to four after a service ace and a block, but the Pioneers closed the set on a Sharks service error. Natali Herrera was a defensive force, tallying two blocks in the frame.
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Second set (27-25): HPU appeared in control, leading 24-19, but East Bay stormed back. A kill from Malayah Adams and blocks from Herrera and Paua fueled the run, before Pi'ilani Carvalho delivered a service ace to tie the set. After trading points, Paua and Stone combined for a block to punctuate the 27-25 comeback win.
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Third set (25-12): What began as a close frame at 10-9 quickly turned into a Pioneer showcase. Behind service pressure from Trinity Cox and steady setting from Carvalho, East Bay ripped off a 15-3 run. Gerhardt's attacking and Adekola's finishing kill sealed the sweep as the Pioneers hit .333 in the set while holding HPU to -.182.
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NOTABLE STATS |
- Barakat Adekola posted a double-double with 10 kills and 10 digs, hitting .292.
- Pi'ilani Carvalho handed out 22 assists, adding two service aces.
- The Pioneers recorded eight service aces as a team, including two each from Carvalho and Trinity Cox.
- Herrera led at the net with five blocks and added six kills.
- Kale'a Kuamo'o anchored the back row with a team-high 14 digs.
- Jada Stone contributed seven kills, while Makaiya Gerhardt chipped in six.
- East Bay outhit HPU .187 to .019 and finished with a 9-7 edge in total blocks.
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POSTGAME QUOTE |
Cal State East Bay head coach Kimberly Lambert following Thursday's season opening win: "This was a great opportunity for our team to work through some tough moments and grow together. Solid first showing for the Pios."
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RECORDS |
Cal State East Bay: 1-0
Hawai'i Pacific: 0-3
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UP NEXT FOR CAL STATE EAST BAY |
Cal State East Bay continues the Hawai'i Challenge with two matches Friday in Honolulu. The Pioneers face UH Hilo at 10 a.m. HST (1 p.m. Pacific) at the HPU Shark Tank before taking on No. 9 Chaminade at 7 p.m. HST (10 p.m. Pacific) inside McCabe Gym.
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