SAN MARCOS, Calif. – In dramatic fashion, the Cal State San Marcos volleyball team staged a come-from-behind victory on Saturday afternoon to defeat the Cal State East Bay Pioneers in five sets, 3-2. Set scores were 24-26, 20-25, 25-21, 25-23 and 15-9.

The victory marks the Cougars' first conference win in program history since joining the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) this season. CSUSM improves to 4-10 overall and 1-5 in the CCAA.
 
"I am really excited because this is something we have been working really hard for," said CSUSM head coach Andrea Leonard. "We knew we were knocking on the door and it was only going to be one match for us to bust it open.
 
"I really thought we accomplished that today." 

The Cougars got a match-high 21 kills and eight blocks (two solo) from junior outside hitter Brooke Butler.  With her 15 digs, Butler nabbed her seventh career double-double. Senior Taylor DeGraaf tallied 12 kills while fellow classmate Jordan Banich added 11 kills. Junior Taylor Harris dished out 35 assists on top of her 15 digs. Sophomore libero Samantha Flores collected 17 digs.
 
The first set consisted of 11 lead changes, the most for CSUSM all season.  The Cougars had set point at 24-23 but a kill by East Bay's Kiki Leuteneker dashed CSUSM's plans. The Pioneers rattled off two additional points to take the opening set, 26-24.
 
Both teams fought hard in set two, tying the score seven different times.  A four-point run put East Bay up 17-14 and the Cougars were not able to cut the gap to within two points. The Pioneers took a 2-0 lead with a 25-20 second set victory.
 
After the intermission, it looked like it was going to be a three-set sweep for East Bay as the Cougars found themselves trailing 15-11.  After a CSUEB serving error, the Cougars posted a seven-point run that was highlighted by three kills by Butler. CSUSM closed the set with a four-point run for a 25-21 victory.
 
The Cougars continued their momentum, taking a 10-5 lead in the fourth set.  The Pioneers would not go away, rallying back to even the score at 23-23.  A CSUEB service error and a Butler kill sent the match into a fifth and deciding set.
 
After relinquishing the first point, CSUSM rattled off seven consecutive points and included two service aces by DeGraaf. The Cougars answered East Bay's three-point run with one of their own to make it 10-4. A final service error by the Pioneers gave CSUSM the 15-9 victory as the team rushed the court in celebration.
 
In the fifth set, CSUSM hit an impressive .348 (9K, 1E, 23A) while holding the Pioneers to a .083 clip (5K, 3E, 24A).
 
"This is going to make our confidence blossom," Leonard said. "Not only individually but as a team as well."

CSUEB drops to 3-9, 1-3 CCAA.
 
The Cougars take to the road for five matches beginning with a stop at Sonoma State on Tuesday, Sept. 29. First serve is slated for 4 p.m.