HAYWARD, Calif. - The Fresno Pacific Sunbirds dropped a pair of matches to the Cal State Easy Bay Pioneers and the Sonoma State Sea Wolves Friday to open up the Route 92 Classic. 

GAME ONE

Fresno Pacific faced a tough challenge from Cal State East Bay in a competitive match that ultimately ended in a 3-1 defeat for the Sunbirds.

The Sunbirds started strong with a thrilling 27-25 win in the first set.

Fresno Pacific fell behind early in the set unable to take the lead despite multiple tie scores. 

At 24-21, the 'Birds managed to fight off three set points and take the lead behind an pair of errors on the Pioneers and kills from Makayla Smith and Devyn Castaneda

The Pioneers tied the score back up at 25 a piece but the Sunbirds completed the come from behind win taking two straight points on kills from Smith and Cambria Waites securing the set one win 27-25. 

In set one, Claire Corippo led the charge with 11 kills, and Geneva Elliott and Madison Girnius added 7 kills of their own, contributing to a strong offensive display.

However, despite this promising start, the Sunbirds struggled to maintain their momentum throughout the match.

In the following sets, Cal State East Bay's consistency proved too much for Fresno Pacific.

The Sunbirds dropped the next three sets with scores of 16-25, 13-25, and 20-25.

GAME TWO

Fresno Pacific faced a challenging opponent in Sonoma State and was ultimately swept in three sets.

Despite their efforts, the Sunbirds struggled to find their rhythm against a strong Sea Wolves team. 

The 'Birds fell behind early in the first two sets as the Sea Wolves took the first two by a margin of six in the first and seven in the second.

The third set proved the most competitive as the 'Birds took the first three points.

Fresno Pacific's early lead dissolved as the Sea Wolves went on a run to tie the score at 13-13 and retake the lead.

The Sunbirds managed to tie the score one more time at 15-15 before the Sonoma State stormed ahead winning seven of the next ten points to eventually take the set and the win. 

In the loss, senior Mia Gilcrest stepped up as the leading attacker with 11 kills and a .360 hitting percentage.

The Sunbirds will look to bounce back Saturday morning in San Francisco at 10am against the Lubbock Chirstian University Lady Chaps at Don Nasser Family Pavilion Main Gym. 

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