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Cal Lutheran earned a spot in the West Region final with a strong performance against #9 Cal State East Bay as the Regals swept past the Pioneers 25-22, 25-22, 25-18 at Frantz Athletic Court on the campus of the University of La Verne.

The Regals (25-6) established control in the opening stages, taking leads of 10-4 and 16-10 before East Bay closed within two at 22-20.  But CLU claimed the next two points to grab a 24-20, eventually finishing set on a Megan Thorpe kill to prevail 25-22.  Thorpe totaled 4 kills in the opening frame.

Set #2 produced a similar result as the Regals grabbed advantages of 12-7 and 17-11 over the Pioneers.  East Bay closed within 21-18 but Cal Lutheran took three of the next four points to lead 24-19.  An Erin Exline kill at 24-22 secured a 2-0 set advantage for the Regals.

CSU East Bay stayed even with CLU in the early stages of the third set as both teams fought to a 12-12 deadlock.  The Pioneers took a 18-16 lead, but the Regals finished off the match with a spirited 9-0 run, ending with a service ace by Lindsey Benson to complete the sweep.  The Regals earn a trip to their second region final in three seasons. The win also allowed CLU to reverse a 3-1 defeat to the Pioneers back on Oct. 11 in Hayward.

CLU enjoyed a balanced offensive attack as four players totaled at least 8 kills.  Allison Kerr collected a team-high 9 while the trio of Thorpe, Exline and Summer Plante-Newman each recorded 8 kills.  Benson dished out a match-high 32 assists for the Regals.  Jackie Randolph finished with a match-high 11 kills for East Bay in the defeat.

The Regals hit .144 compared to .129 for the Pioneers.  Both teams totaled 3 blocks with CLU enjoying a 56-49 edge in digs.

With the loss, Cal State East Bay (29-5) made its final appearance in the Division III volleyball ranks.  The Pioneers move to Division II beginning fall of 2009.