HAYWARD, Calif. -- Make it two wins in a row for the Cal State Monterey Bay volleyball team, which overcame a 2–1 deficit to upend Cal State East Bay 25–22, 19–25, 23–25, 25–20, 15–7 Tuesday night in Pioneer Gym.
 

The Otters wrapped the match up in style, holding East Bay to just seven points. That marks the fewest points the Otters have allowed in a Set 5 win to an eligible NCAA Division II opponent and the second fewest they've ever allowed in the fifth.
 

The outside hitting tandem of Julia Ashen (North Salinas HS) and Jessica Malcolm (Lodi HS) carried the mail for CSUMB, totaling 18 and 16 kills respectively to lead the 65–kill Otter attack. Midway through the third set, Malcolm reached a milestone by notching her 1,000th career kill, becoming just the fourth player in Otter history to reach that rarefied air.
 

In the middle, the Otters were incredibly efficient, with the trio of Janai Johnson, Victoria Clardy and DJ Gresham-Ryder combining to hit .462 while making just one error apiece.
 

"I'm really proud of the fight we displayed tonight," said CSUMB Head Coach Jody Garry (@JodyGarry). "East Bay is a tough team to play, especially on its home court. It's super hard to win here."
 

The Otters gained separation midway though the first set and never let the Pioneers regain the lead en route to the win. East Bay turned the tables in Set 2, breaking a 12–12 tie with an 8–2 run to take control of the set and even the match.
 

The Otters led for most of Set 3 before the Pioneers rallied late, scoring seven of the final nine points to turn a 21–18 deficit into a 25–23 win that gave them temporary control of the match.
 

The Otters again grabbed an early lead in the fourth set. Again, East Bay rallied to within 10–9. This time, however, CSUMB stemmed the tide with a 7–1 run that led the way to the winner–take–all Set 5.
 

CSUMB removed all doubt from the denouement by opening the final set with runs of 5–0 and 10–3. The Pioneers got as close as 12–6, but a kill from Ashen, an ace from freshman Ciara Reistad and a final kill from Malcolm sent Otter fans home happy.
 

CSUMB will try to run its win streak to three matches when it hosts Cal State Dominguez Hills Friday in The Kelp Bed for a 7 p.m. first serve.


 

GO OTTERS!