LaVERNE, CA

The Pioneers (29-4), the 2002 West Regional Champions showed their experience, opening the match with a 7-1 lead. Soon after, the lead grew to 15-4 and finished at 30-14, as City never scored more than two points in a row.

"We had to stop that run and get them back in the game,” said fifth-year head coach Robert Pichardo about the first run. "Our footwork at the beginning was off and we were trying to find a way to spark a run. But we're playing a sport in the state known for volleyball and when you're playing a team that big, size does matter.”

The second game proved to be more competitive, as CUNYAC all-star Catherine Martinez (Bronx, NY) notched four kills and Player of the Year Erja Vettenranta (New York, NY) heated up, scoring three kills. Except for a 12-6 CSUH lead midway, it was a tight set. But after a 21-18 score on a kill by CUNYAC Rookie of the Year Jacquelin Peralta (New York, NY), the game got away from CCNY with the Pioneers winning 30-21.

"In the second game, we said that if we're going to make it meaningful,” continued Pichardo, the CUNYAC Coach of the Year. "Then we had to let it all hang it out. Don't worry about your old injuries. By far, Catherine was the one keeping us in there tonight. I had hoped that Jacquelin would be able to reach out to that next level, but as a rookie, we can't expect that.” In the third stanza, Cal-State Hayward, located 12 miles outside of Oakland, put the finishing touch on the oldest school in the CUNY system, jumping out to a 12-4 advantage when junior Christy Bailey had the opportunity to serve. The Moorpark, CA native served three times before nailing four consecutive aces on jump serves, forcing City onto their heels. The score was 25-4 before the Lady Beavers got the serve and tried to crawl back into the contest.

Martinez, a standout player in her first two years at CCNY, showed her old form with five kills and 14 digs. Vettenranta led the team with nine kills. Freshman setter Viviana Cifuentes (Queens, NY) continued her progress dishing out 18 assists.

"By far, it doesn't matter what happened here tonight,” concluded Pichardo. "The experience of coming out here makes the entire season worthwhile. Even thought this is a bittersweet moment, I'm happy with our chemistry and our overall performance.”