CARSON, Calif. – Junior Beth Perkins (Woodland, California, Mt. Hood Community College) and freshman Kyle Lamet (Benicia, California, Carondelet HS) recorded 17 kills apiece to lead the San Francisco State women's volleyball to team to a four-set triumph (25-14, 21-25, 25-21, 25-15) over Cal State Dominguez Hills on Saturday night at the Torodome in Carson, Calif.
Lamet's kill total was a season-high as Gators broke a seven-match losing streak to improve to 12-15 on the season and 5-13 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, while the Toros dip to 3-23 overall and 2-16 in league action.
“It was good to see us play a complete match tonight,” said SF State head coach Michelle Patton. “We had a great deal of offensive production from Kyle, Beth and Brittany (Powell), which was important at this point in the season. I'm very proud of how our team pulled together. “
SF State used a 12-5 run to break open a tight contest to build a commanding 20-10 advantage in the opening set. The Gator defense limited CSUDH to a -.077 hitting percentage during the frame as their hosts committed eight errors, including three in the final four points.
SF State jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the second stanza until CSUDH picked itself off the mat with a 14-7 run to go up by a 15-12 count. The Toros were then able to maintain the upper hand through the remainder of the set, getting the final point on kill from Ashley Clark.
The Gators stumbled out of the gate in the third set, falling behind by a 16-10 margin until fighting themselves off the ropes with an 8-2 run, punctuated by a Lamet kill to go out in front to stay at 18-17.
SF State was all business in the fourth and final set, erasing an early 2-0 deficit to forge a comfortable 19-10 cushion after a service ace by freshman Christina Johnson (Wildomar, California, Elsinore HS).
The Gators owned a 56-36 advantage in kills, outhitting their hosts by a .226-.143 margin. In addition to Perkins' and Lamet's heroics, freshman Brittany Powell hit .417 for the match on five kills with no errors, while fellow classmate Mary Maiocco (Bakersfield, California, Bakersfield HS) aided the SF State cause with 47 assists.
The Gators will close out their regular-season slate next weekend when they return home to face Cal State Stanislaus (Nov. 14) and Chico State (Nov.15). Both matches are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the Main Gymnasium. SF State will honor its two seniors, Laura Deely (San Francisco, California, St. Ignatius College Prep) and Anne Heggli (Cool, California, Bear River) prior to next Saturday's finale.
