SAN FRANCISCO – In a match that was closer than the final set score indicated, the San Francisco State women's volleyball team dropped a hard-fought decision to Chico State (23-25, 23-25, 22-25) on Saturday as part of Senior Night festivities at the Main Gymnasium.

With the defeat, the Gators wrapped up their 2008 campaign with a 13-16 overall record and 6-14 mark in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, while the Wildcats finished the regular season at 20-10 and 13-7 in the CCAA.

SF State was in hot pursuit of Chico State throughout the evening, but was repeatedly thwarted in its efforts to establish the upper hand.

In the opening set, the Wildcats appeared to be in control with a 17-11 lead in their possession after reeling off six straight points to break an 11-11 tie.  Following a timeout, the Gators soon rallied, putting together a 9-3 run to knot things up at 20-20.

However, Chico State outscored the home team by a 5-3 count the rest of the way, getting the final point on a kill by Lindsay Macias.

The second set was an even tighter battle, featuring 12 ties and seven lead changes.  Trailing 19-18, SF State scored three quick points on two Wildcat attack errors sandwiched around a kill from freshman Lisa Morgan (La Quinta, California, La Quinta HS) to take its largest lead of the night 21-19.  However, the Gators were unable to contain Chico State's Gillian Heydorff, who registered four kills during a 6-2 flurry to close out the frame.

Unfazed, SF State went back to work in set three, building a 6-2 advantage early on.  However, maintaining prosperity proved once again to be a challenge as the Wildcats fought back to take the lead for good at 10-9 following a Crystal Trifeletti kill.  Chico State would then stretch the margin to 16-11 before the Gators mounted one last challenge.  Consecutive kills by freshman Kyle Lamet (Benicia, California, Carondelet HS) narrowed the deficit to 21-20, but the Wildcats kept the Gators at bay for the remainder of the set to escape with the match.

Individually, Beth Perkins (Woodland, California, Mt. Hood Community College) led the way for SF State, recording a double-double on 13 kills and 11 digs, while Morgan and Lamet posted nine kills apiece.

Prior to Saturday's match, the Gators honored their two seniors, Laura Deely (San Francisco, California, St. Ignatius College Prep) and Anne Heggli (Cool, California, Bear River).