Pioneers maintain perfect home record with upset of #23 Cal State LA
Freshman Katie Allen led the Pioneers for the second straight night, notching 12 kills and hitting at a .429 clip in the win. (Photo: Ron Allen)
- October 2, 2010
HAYWARD, Calif. - The ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ women’s volleyball team improved to 6-3 in the CCAA and 11-3 overall after a three-set victory over #23 Cal State LA - 25-17, 25-19, 25-23.
As a team, the Pioneers swung at an impressive .368 clip, while the Golden Eagles hit .212.
Freshman Katie Allen, who led the Pioneers with 12 kills and hit for a .429 percentage, was pleased with East Bay’s victory.
"We played well as a team," Allen said. "We connected with our hitting and defense and that proved to be the difference tonight."
Brianna Bryant and Jit Athwal had nine kills each. Bryant hit for a .500 percentage while Athwal finished at .429 for the match and added two solo blocks.
The Pioneers received an outstanding effort from setters Roxanne Neely and K.C. Walsh who ended with 22 and 21 assists respectively.
Cal State L.A., now 3-5 in CCAA play and 7-5 overall, was led by Marquis Mora with eight kills. Mora hit at a .357 clip.
East Bay took an early 2-1 lead and never looked back in the first set. Allen led the Pioneer attack with five kills.
A pair of Amrita Tuladhar service aces gave the Golden Eagles a 12-9 lead in the second set. The Pioneers went on a 12-4 run to take a 21-16 advantage. A kill by Bryant enabled the Pioneers to win the second set.
Neither team led by more than three points in the third set. The Pioneers broke a 20-20 tie with three consecutive points. East Bay maintained a three-point advantage 24-21 on a Walsh kill before the Golden Eagles rallied with two unanswered points to cut the lead to 24-23. Allen’s 12th kill of the match gave the Pioneers the impressive victory.
ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥, which remained undefeated at home with a 5-0 record, played before a rambunctious crowed of 263 at Pioneer Gym.
"We‘re more comfortable on our court," Allen said. "It was cool that the students came out and supported the team."
East Bay returns to action next weekend when they play host to Cal Poly Pomona on Oct. 8.