HAYWARD, Calif. - The Cal State East Bay women's volleyball team showcased resilience and skill as they fended off a spirited comeback attempt from Sonoma State, securing a 3-1 victory (25-17, 25-20, 20-25, 28-26) on Friday evening inside Pioneer Gymnasium. The win was the second in a row for the Pioneers.
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MATCH SUMMARY |
The Pioneers came out strong, dominating the first two sets with a combination of powerful attacks and solid defense. In the opening frame, Cal State East Bay set the tone early, utilizing a balanced offensive approach to claim a decisive 25-17 win that was capped off with a kill from Coco Ikpe to secure the set.
The momentum carried into the second set, where the Pioneers maintained control, closing it out 25-20 after a kill from Alexandria Gloria to take a commanding 2-0 lead.
However, Sonoma State refused to go down without a fight. The Seawolves regrouped in the third set, finding their rhythm and exploiting gaps in the Pioneers' defense. Their efforts paid off as they took the set 25-20, forcing the match to continue and avoiding a sweep.
The fourth set proved to be intense, with both teams trading points in a display of volleyball prowess. As the score climbed beyond the traditional 25-point threshold, the Pioneers dug deep, after both teams reached a 26-26 tie. Then a kill from Fane Paua followed by a kill from Lexi Pagani decided the set at 28-26 and clinched a 3-1 win for the Pioneers.
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NOTABLE STATS |
- Pagani led the charge for Cal State East Bay with a team-high 14 kills, while also contributing defensively with five total blocks and three service aces.
- Alexandria Gloria had an impressive 19 digs, and matched Pagani's three aces.
- Setter Pi'ilani Carvalho orchestrated the Pioneers' attack, dishing out 26 assists and securing her third consecutive double-double by adding 10 digs.
- Middle blocker Fane Paua joined Pagani at the net with five blocks.
- Cal State East Bay outpaced Sonoma State in team hitting percentage .205 to .179.
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RECORDS AND WHERE THE PIONEERS STAND |
Cal State East Bay: 9-10, 4-7 CCAA (tied for eighth place)
Sonoma State: 8-9, 5-6 CCAA (tied for sixth place)
The victory keeps the Pioneers in the hunt for a CCAA Tournament berth, as they currently sit tied for eighth in the conference standings. With the top six teams qualifying for the postseason, Cal State East Bay will look to build on this momentum in their remaining seven matches of the regular season.
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UP NEXT FOR CAL STATE EAST BAY |
Up next, the Pioneers will host Cal Poly Humboldt on Saturday, October 26, at Pioneer Gymnasium. The match is set to begin at 5 p.m. as Cal State East Bay aims for its third straight win.
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