MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Fresno Pacific volleyball team jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead against Cal State East Bay on Thursday, but the Pioneers escaped with a 3-2 win in five sets in the opener of the West Region Showcase in Oregon. Set scores were 22-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-23 and 15-12 in favor of CSUEB.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Cal State East Bay 3, Fresno Pacific 2
Records: FPU (1-4), CSUEB (4-1)
Location:  Monmouth, Ore. | New PE Building
Series: The Sunbirds lead 14-1 against the Pioneers
 
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Sunbirds were rolling in the first two sets of the game, as Karah Mitchell led FPU to two wins. The senior totaled nine kills in the opening two frames, while Malerie Crenshaw added five kills for FPU.
• The Pioneers stormed back, however, to win the next three sets to steal the win.  
 
STATS OF THE GAME:
• Four Sunbirds ended the game with double-digit kills, led by Mitchell's 16. The Clovis native added 10 digs and four blocks.
• Crenshaw, Caroline Bodziak and Madison Pierce each added 10 kills apiece. Crenshaw amassed five blocks. Kylei Dewar also chipped in with six kills and five blocks.
• Christina Tran had a strong afternoon with 19 assists and 24 digs, while Greta Dobenecker dished out a team-high 22 assists.
• FPU hit a season best .214 as a team, while also totaling a season-high 11.0 total team blocks.
• Deja Thompson put down a team-high 18 kills for Cal State East Bay, while Kiki Leuteneker added 17 kills and 11 digs.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• FPU fell to the Pioneers for the first time in program history on Thursday (15 career meetings)
• The Sunbirds played in their first five-set match of the year, while CSUEB has now played in three (2-1) to start 2017.
• FPU has now lost four straight after the season-opening win against Adelphi.
 
UP NEXT:
• FPU continues action at the West Region Showcase on Friday, Sept. 8 against Cal State San Marcos (12:30 p.m.) and Seattle Pacific (5:30 p.m.)