Cal State East Bay records 3-1 win over Humboldt State to remain undefeated
Junior Sukhjit Athwal laid down 12 kills to help keep the Pioneers undefeated with a win over Humboldt State.
- September 11, 2010
HAYWARD, Calif. - The Cal State East Bay women's volleyball team remained undefeated after a four-set win over visiting Humboldt State on Saturday night. The Pioneers (7-0, 2-0 CCAA) picked up their second straight CCAA victory to open the conference season with scores of 25-16, 25-27, 25-22, 25-22.
East Bay led 16-9 following a Roxanne Neely kill and went on a 9-7 run to win the first set.
The Pioneers led 24-21 in the second set. Three consecutive kills by the Jacks' Allison Drobish, Taylor Manuel and Oceana Matsubu tied the set at 24. Humboldt State outscored the Pioneers 3-1 to take the second set and even the match at one game apiece at the break.
In the third set, the Pioneers built an 18-11 advantage and never looked back, taking a 2-1 lead in the match with a 25-22 win.
Humboldt State led 12-11 in the fourth set. Neely's kill gave the Pioneers a 20-19 lead, before the Pioneers added four kills including two by Katie Allen to win the set and remain undefeated for the season.
"We did a good job keeping our intensity up following a tough win over Sonoma State last night," Neely said. "Humboldt State is a good team and we had to play hard to win."
Freshman outside hitter Katie Allen led the Pioneer offensive attack with 13 kills and completed a double-double with 12 digs. Junior Sukhjit Athwal and sophomore Brianna Bryant had 12 and 11 putaways, respectively. Bryant was solid again in the front row with three blocks.
Neely contributed to the Pioneer victory with 10 kills, 24 assists and nine digs. Lauren Massa anchored the Pioneer defense with a match-high 26 digs. Setter Amanda Limeberger also contributed nine digs and 31 assists.
Manuel and Matsubu led the Jacks with 12 and 11 kills, respectively. Matsubu recorded a double-double with 14 digs. Joliann Arzadon had a solid match with eight kills, while hitting at a .727 clip and adding 31 assists and three service aces.
The Pioneers are off to their best start since 2004. Last season, the Pioneers finished 8-14in the CCAA and 10-21 overall.
"We have a lot of returning players plus some good newcomers on this years' team," Neely said."Our team is hard working and has a good idea what the CCAA brings. We will be one of the top teams in the CCAA this season."