Box Score CARSON -- Freshman Coco Ikpe's team-high 13 kills led four Cal State Dominguez Hills players in double-digit putaways as the Toros earned their first win of the 2021 season after a thrilling 5-set  victory over visiting Cal State East Bay on a cool Friday afternoon in the Torodome.

As a team, the Toros outhit the Pioneers .208 to .196, but enjoyed their biggest edge at the net by posting a 12-4 advantage in block assists, with Jesi Diekmann leading all players with four.

The two teams split the match's first 18 points, only to see the Toros race out to a 15-11 lead behind the strong serve of Cecilia White.  The Pios caught the Toros at 18, 19 and 22, before kills by Ikpe and Jenna Sandall brought CSUDH to set point, taking the frame on a CSUEB attack error.

The Pioneers rallied to take the next two sets, setting up a classic 4th.

In that game, CSUDH jumped to a 10-6 lead behind Bailey Fuches' strong serve, and maintained its 4-point lead at 13-9 after a Sandall ace.

East Bay kept the pressure on the Toros, eventually catching CSUDH at 24-24, and taking a 25-24 lead on a Megan Crecelius putaway.  A Darien Mann kill, however, brought momentum back to the hosts, with a Sandall/Dikemann block assist setting up game point, and a Diekmann/Mann combo roof on an ensuing Pio attack sending the match to a 5th.

In the final frame, the Toros ran out to a quick 8-3 advantage and kept the Pioneers at shoulder's length, with a Peery blast and a pair of CSUEB attack errors accounting for the final points.

Fuches finished with a match-high three aces with Angelia Cabal assisting on 31 balls in the win.

Defense also played a huge role in the win with Gabbie Silva's team-high 17 saves leading four Toros with at least 10 digs.

The Toros look to make it two-straight tomorrow afternoon, hosting Cal State San Marcos for a 5:00 pm first serve in the Torodome.