HAYWARD, Calif. — Cal State Monterey Bay fought nearly all the way back from an 0–2 deficit before its big rally fell short in a 25–20, 25–15, 12–25, 29–27 loss to Cal State East Bay Friday night in Pioneer Gym.

The Otters dug deep after a listless first two sets to destroy the Pioneers in the third. A taut fourth set was there for the taking, but CSUMB couldn't finish a pair of set points before East Bay converted its third match point opportunity to end the affair.

Baylie Pierson (Vista Murietta HS) and Jenna Tobin (Modesto/Gregori HS) led the Otter offense with 11 and 10 kills respectively. CSUMB also got strong play in the middle from freshman Mollin Helfrich (Pinole/Salesian Prep) and junior Hannah Haveman (Parker, Colo./Legend HS), who combined for 14 kills and a .407 attack percentage.
 

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THE MATCH WAS OVER WHEN… Consecutive kills from Jasmyne Love and Kara Green snapped a 27–27 tie in the fourth set.

BATTLE OF THE BAYS… With Friday's win, Cal State East Bay takes a 6–4 lead in the season–long Battle of the Bays competition. The teams split points in soccer (4–4) to begin the season. Two more points will be on the line when the Otters and Pioneers meet in The Kelp Bed on Nov. 1.

ANOTHER DOUBLE–DOUBLE FOR TOBIN… Jenna Tobin posted her team–leading seventh double–double of the season with 10 kills and 13 digs Friday at East Bay. She led the Otters with 10 double–doubles en route to earning All–CCAA honors as a sophomore in 2018.

TORRES UP TO No. 15… Sophia Torres passed 34 assists Friday night to move up to No. 15 on the CSUMB single–season assist list with 456. She needs 13 more to pass Dana Grimm (2009) for No. 14. She needs 54 more to become the 14th player in Otter history to pass 500 assists in a season.

THE OTTER 500, LAP I… Sophia Torres is knocking on the door of 500 career assists. She'll enter play Saturday needing eight helpers to become the ninth player in Otter history with 500 career assists.

THE OTTER 500, LAP II… Jenna Tobin is racing to a pair of 500s of her own. She needs 13 kills to become the 14th player in Otter history with 500 career kills. She also needs just 14 digs to become the 19th player in Otter history to join that club as well.

LEADERS OF THE RAFT… POINTS: Baylie Pierson, 13.0; KILLS: Baylie Pierson, 11; BLOCKS: Baylie Pierson/Hannah Haveman 4; ACES: Alexa Blunt 2; DIGS: Madi Lombardi 15.

THEY'VE GOT NEXT… The Otters conclude brief tour of the San Francisco Bay Area with a match at SFSU Saturday in The Swamp. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.