Pioneers Topple UC Merced in Four Sets
MERCED, Calif. — The Cal State East Bay volleyball team continued its strong run through CCAA, taking down UC Merced 3–1 (21–25, 25–19, 25–23, 25–20) on Saturday night. The Pioneers improved to 10–8 overall and 7–3 in conference play and currently sit in fourth place.
After dropping the opening set 25–21, the Pioneers regrouped and found their rhythm on both sides of the ball. Barakat Adekola powered the offense with a match-high 20 kills and added 20 digs and three service aces. Piʻilani Carvalho orchestrated the attack with 38 assists to go along with 12 digs and two aces, while Malayah Adams provided key offensive with 12 kills on a .229 hitting percentage.
UC Merced came out strong in the first set, capitalizing on East Bay errors to grab the early lead. But the Pioneers responded quickly in the second, hitting .229 as a team. Carvalho's steady distribution opened up the floor, allowing Adams and Natali Herrera—who hit .429 with four kills—to take advantage of seams in the Bobcats' defense.
The third set was tightly contested with eight lead changes, but East Bay pulled away at the end using key kills from Adekola and Adams to put UC Merced away.
In the fourth, East Bay carried its momentum forward, hitting an impressive .282 as a team. Adekola and Gianna Navarro combined for 9 kills in the set. Trailing 20-17, the Pioneers scored the final eight points to seal the victory.
Kaleʻa Kuamoʻo anchored the defense with a match-high 22 digs while adding two service aces. Rebeca Freitas notched two aces and 12 digs.
As a team, Cal State East Bay finished with 49 kills, 46 assists, nine service aces, and 10 total team blocks, while holding UC Merced to a .120 hitting percentage.
The Pioneers return home next week to face Chico State on Friday night.
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