Pioneers drops tough four-set decision to Cal State Monterey Bay

  • September 18, 2010

SEASIDE, Calif. – Playing its third CCAA match in four days, the Cal State East Bay women's volleyball team fell to Cal State Monterey Bay in four sets, 25-21, 25-21, 20-25 and 25-22. The Pioneers (8-2, 3-2 CCAA) dropped their second straight match despite fighting back from a two-set Otter lead.

"We played three hard fought matches this week," CSUEB Head Coach Jim Spagle said. "UC San Diego was nationally ranked, San Francisco State is a good team, and we knew that Cal State Monterey Bay would be a battle."

The Pioneers took an 11-10 lead in the first set. Cal State Monterey Bay went on a 6-1 run to take a 16-12 advantage. The Otters maintained a 24-20 lead on a kill by Melanie Lashbrook. Kitona Offord's sixth kill of the set cut the Otters lead to24-21. Lashbrook's kill enabled Cal State Monterey Bay to win the first set.

The second set was close throughout with neither team leading by more than four points. East Bay trailed 24-21 following a kill by Katie Allen. Lauren Shacklock put down a kill to give the Otters a 2-0 lead.

East Bay got out to a 7-2 and led throughout in taking the third set.  Leading 21-18, the Pioneers scored their next three points on kills by Brianna Bryant, K.C. Walsh and Roxanne Neely. East Bay won the third set on an attack error by the Otters. Ariel Ajagu recorded four kills in the third set victory.

Neither team ledby more than three points in the fourth set. Consecutive kills by Sukhjit Athwal enabled the Pioneers to tie the Otters 17-17.  Cal State Monterey Bay took a 24-21 lead. Neely's kill closed the gap to 24-22. Shacklock's kill gave the Otters the hard earned victory.

Offord and Athwal each had 13 kills for the Pioneers. Bryant recorded 11 kills and a .647 hitting percentage. Amanda Limeberger had 29 assists.

The Otters Rheann Fall recorded a match-high 23 kills and completed a double-double with11 digs. Shacklock and Lashbrook had 11 and 10 kills, respectively.

"We need to regroup and get ready for Chico State and Cal State Stanislaus next week," Spagle said.

The Pioneers return to action on Sept. 24 when they meet Cal State Stanislaus in Turlock at 7 p.m.