HAYWARD, Calif. — Four Otters reached double figures in kills but it wasn't enough to stop Cal State East Bay from taking a 27–29, 25–17, 25–23, 25–17 victory Wednesday night at Pioneer Gym. It marked the CCAA opener for both teams, each of whom began that night at 6–2 overall.

Both teams saved a pair of set points in the opening frame before a Paige Burrell (Ripon HS) ace broke a 28–28 tie before a Pioneer error gave CSUMB an early advantage. But East Bay ended a tight second set with a 6–0 run to even the match.

The match turned for good in the third set when a Julie Navarro kill and a Kathy McKiernan block broke a 23–23 tie. An 8–1 run midway through the fourth put the Pioneers on top to stay.

Senior right side hitter Amber Tygart (Yucaipa HS) led a balanced Otter offense with 15 kills. Junior setter Erica Chapa (San Benito HS/Gavilan College) added 42 assists and 17 digs.
 

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THE MATCH WAS OVER WHEN… a Kiki Leuteneker kill capped an 8–1 run that gave the Pioneers a 20–12 lead in the fourth set.

GOING FROM HIGH TO LOW… After hitting better than .300 in three consecutive matches—including a school–record .606 in their last match versus Holy Names—the Otters hit a season–low .170 Wednesday night in Hayward. It marks just the second time in nine matches this season their Otter did not hit .200 or better.

SPREADING THE WEALTH… Wednesday night, the Otter offense put four player in double–figure kills for the first time this season. Joining Amber Tygart (15 kills) in double figures with Maddy Underwood (13), Anela Visesio (11) and Samantha Brennan (10).

LEADERS OF THE RAFT… POINTS: Amber Tygart 16; KILLS: Amber Tygart 15; BLOCKS: Three Otters 2; ACES: Paige Burrell 2 2; DIGS: Ashlynne Armstrong 20.

THE LAST WORD… "We didn't control the game the way we needed to and East Bay did a nice job of running its offense. I thought Amber Tygart did an excellent job on the pin for us tonight and having four athletes in double digit kills shows how balanced we can really be." – CSUMB Head Coach Moe Melhart

THEY'VE GOT NEXT… The Otters return to The Kelp Bed for their CCAA home opener Friday (Sept. 15) against Humboldt State. First serve is schedule for 7 p.m.