SAN BERNARDINO -- Cal State LA dropped a three-set decision to Concordia University Irvine on Friday at Coussoulis Arena, falling 25-22, 25-17, 25-20.
The opening set featured six ties and four lead changes as the Golden Eagles battled CUI throughout the frame. Cal State LA matched CUI with 12 kills and recorded two service aces and three blocks.
The Golden Eagles built an 11-5 advantage following a Grundman service ace and held a 15-13 lead later in the set. CUI eventually moved ahead, but Cal State LA continued to fight. The Golden Eagles pulled within two points following a block by Isabella Barrios and a kill from Walker to make it 24-22 before CUI took the set, 25-22.
CUI carried that momentum into the second set, hitting .333 with 16 kills. Cal State LA remained within striking distance throughout much of the second set. Chase delivered a service ace to tie the score at 9-9 and the Golden Eagles later pulled within one at 17-16 following a Walker kill. CUI then scored eight of the final nine points to take the set, 25-17 and take a two-set advantage.
Cal State LA continued to compete in the third, which included six ties and four lead changes and held an early 7-6 advantage following a kill from Webster. Cal State LA also showed their strength at the net, recording five blocks in the set while CUI did not record a block. The Golden Eagles posted their best hitting percentage of the match at .160, but CUI closed out the contest with a 25-20 victory.
Amber Walker led Cal State LA with 10 kills and a .273 hitting percentage while adding two block assists. Samarah DaCoud and Oluwatoyin Sunday contributed six kills apiece, with Sunday hitting .200. Mia Webster contributed two kills and hit at a .333 percentage.
Ruby Ennis directed the Golden Eagle offense with 19 assists and added five digs and one service ace. Juliana Speiski recorded a team-high eight digs and three assists, while Savannah Risley and McKinley Chase combined for six additional assists.
Kylie Grundman led Cal State LA from the service line with two aces. Isabella Barrios recorded one solo block and one block assist, while Naomi Jackson added two block assists.
Cal State LA finished with seven service aces to match CUI's total. Concordia Irvine held advantages in kills (42-29), hitting percentage (.271-.141), digs (34-31) and total blocks (6-5).
The loss moved Cal State LA to 0-2 on the season, while Concordia Irvine improved to 2-1. The Golden Eagles will return to action on Saturday with two matches to conclude the Yotes Classic with the first match at noon against Vanguard before taking on Westmont at 5 p.m.
