POMONA, Calif. — The Cal State East Bay women's volleyball team faced a formidable opponent in No. 8 Cal Poly Pomona, falling in straight sets (25-18, 25-16, 25-20) during Friday afternoon's CCAA match at Kellogg Gymnasium.
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MATCH SUMMARY |
The Pioneers struggled to maintain momentum against the high-powered Broncos. The match began with Cal Poly Pomona asserting dominance, surging to as much as a 10-point lead in the opening set. The Broncos' relentless offense left East Bay scrambling, ultimately securing a 25-18 victory to start the match.
In a thrilling turn of events, the Pioneers roared to life at the start of the second set. Lexi Pagani ignited a spark with kill to open the set, propelling East Bay to a swift 5-0 lead. However, the Broncos mounted a fierce 7-1 answer. Then after an evenly matched stretch turned into a 12-12 score, Cal Poly Pomona's firepower proved too much, unleashing a 5-point run after the tie. The Pioneers' resistance waned, managing only four more points as the Broncos closed out the set 25-16, taking a commanding 2-0 lead.
Facing elimination, East Bay showed heart in the third set. Despite trailing by as much as nine points, the Pioneers clawed their way back into contention. A clutch ace from Alyssa Zaragoza narrowed the gap to just three points at 23-20, sending a jolt of hope through the East Bay faithful. However, the Broncos' composure prevailed, as they sealed the match with two quick points for a 25-20 set win and a 3-0 sweep.
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NOTABLE STATS |
- Alexandria Gloria and Lexi Pagani led the offensive charge with eight kills each.
- Pagani's all-around game was on full display, as she also contributed a team-high 13 digs and three service aces, helping East Bay secure a 4-3 advantage in aces for the match.
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RECORDS |
Cal State East Bay: 7-8, 2-5 CCAA
No. 8 Cal Poly Pomona: 13-1, 7-0 CCAA
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UP NEXT FOR CAL STATE EAST BAY |
The Pioneers will look to bounce back quickly in their next CCAA matchup. Cal State East Bay faces Cal State San Marcos on Saturday at The Sports Center in San Marcos, California. Opening serve is set for 1 p.m. as the team aims to snap their two-match losing streak and regain momentum in conference play.
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