SPOKANE, Wash. -- Cal State East Bay bounced back from a first game loss by finding its ability to block and the Pioneers went on to defeat the University of Puget Sound 22-30, 30-22, 30-22, 30-23 in a first round match at the West Regional of the NCAA Division III volleyball tournament hosted by Whitworth College.
Alison Spitaleri had 14 kills, while Cynthia Raichel added 12 kills and four blocks for the Pioneers, who improved to 27-10 and will play the winner of a match between top-seeded La Verne and Chapman in tomorrow's semifinals. Precious Jones added nine kills and four blocks, while Alyssa Chang came up with a match-high 25 digs. Ashley Williamson had 33 assists and Daniella Morales added 21 as the pair split setting responsibilities. East Bay finished with a .216 hitting percentage. Three Loggers had double figures in kills, led by Jamie Eggers' match-high total of 15. Alena Bennett added 13 kills and Kayla Roof finished with a dozen for UPS. The Loggers fell to 15-6 this season. Eggers added 16 digs and a pair of blocks, while Nikki Esposito also had 16 digs. Jessica McPhee-Hayes dished 35 assists. UPS hit .173 as a team. The Loggers controlled the first game and never trailed. An East Bay attack error gave UPS an 18-10 lead and Eggers ended the game with a kill at 30-22. The Pioneers regrouped to open a quick 9-4 lead in the second game on an ace by Morales. UPS came back to take a 12-11 lead on a kill by Bennett. The teams traded leads until East Bay turned a 19-19 tie into a 25-21 lead on a kill by Raichel. Spitaleri ended the game 30-22 with her fifth kill of the game. Other than a brief disadvantage of 2-1 in the third game, the Pioneers controlled the action and the net. CSEB had five team blocks in the game, led by Raichel, who had three. A Logger ball handling error gave the Pioneers the third game 30-22. East Bay opened
leads of 10-1 and 18-6 in game four before UPS rallied to within 21-16.
But the Pioneers regained control and won 30-23 on a UPS service error. |
