The Cal State East Bay Pioneers defeated the UC Merced Bobcats 3–1 in women’s volleyball on Oct. 10 at Greg and Cathie Hostetler Court in Merced. East Bay won 25–17, 25–18, 23–25, 25–12 to return to the win column. The Pioneers improved to 7–9 overall and 5–3 in CCAA play.
Navarro leads the Pioneers
Gianna Navarro led East Bay with 15 kills and a .483 hitting percentage. Barakat Adekola added eight kills and 18 digs, while Natali Herrera also recorded eight kills. Pi’ilani Carvalho finished with 39 assists and eight digs.
UC Merced extended the match by winning the third set 25–23. East Bay answered with its most efficient attacking set, hitting .333 in the fourth. The Pioneers committed only one attack error in that closing frame.
CSB Take
East Bay responded to a lost third set without allowing the match to turn into a longer contest. Navarro’s efficient scoring helped the Pioneers regain control. UC Merced needs to sustain the pressure it created in the third when opponents begin their next response.
