SAN FRANCISCO – Freshman Lauren Walsh (Coto de Caza, Calif., Tesoro HS) knocked down a season-high 18 kills, while junior Vanessa Shaw (Santa Barbara, Calif., Dos Pueblos HS, Santa Barbara CC) scooped up a season-best 27 digs to help the San Francisco State women's volleyball team rally past Cal State Monterey Bay on Tuesday, 24-26, 25-20, 25-21, 25-23, in the Main Gymnasium.
In a tight battle throughout, the Gators shook off a early 1-0 deficit in sets, capturing the final three frames to raise their record to 17-7 overall and 10-6 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, while the Otters drop to 9-16 on the season and 4-12 in league action.
SF State swept the season series between the two schools, matching the program's highest win total since a 17-14 record in 1997, while reaching double digits in conference victories for the first time since finishing with a 12-0 mark in the Northern California Athletic Conference in 1988.
In addition to Walsh's and Shaw's heroics, the Gators also received a match-high 53 assists from freshman Iris Tolenada (Antioch, Calif., Deer Valley HS), who also added 18 digs for her 17th double-double of the year, while sophomore Halimah Oswald (San Francisco, Calif., Waldorf HS)showed her prowess at the net, totaling a career-best seven blocks (one solo, six assists). Other noteworthy performances for SF State included a .318 hitting effort from sophomore Kyle Lamet (Benicia, Calif., Carondelet HS), as she pounded out 10 kills on 22 attempts with just three errors, while senior Beth Perkins (Woodland, Calif., Woodland Christian HS, Mt. Hood CC) contributed nine kills and 14 digs on the night.
The Gators were in pursuit mode throughout most of the opening set after finding themselves on the wrong side of an early 9-4 deficit. SF State managed to narrow the gap to 21-20 on consecutive kills by Perkins, but an errant serve and attack error promptly restored the visitors' three-point advantage at 23-20. Unfazed, the Gators fashioned a 4-1 spurt to tie the game at 24-24, capped by another Perkins kill. SF State was unable to grab the upper hand, however, as back-to-back kills by Alisha Thomas and Rheann Fall provided CSUMB with the clinching points.
In the second stanza, the two sides were deadlocked at 8-8 when an Oswald kill ignited a 14-8 run, giving the host school a comfortable 22-16 cushion it would not relinquish. The Gators flashed their efficiency during the set, hitting .364 compared to the Otters .075 clip.
SF State received a boost in the third set from junior Sarah Lewis (San Diego, Calif., Lutheran HS, Southwestern College), who knocked down three kills in the early going, helping the Gators build a 12-5 bulge. CSUMB stormed back with a 13-5 flurry, however, eventually grabbing an 18-17 lead after a Lauren Manzo kill and an SF State attack error. Undaunted, the Gators dialed up some instant offense as sophomore Robyn Hall (Hayward, Calif., Bishop O'Dowd HS, Univ. of Portland) came off the bench and promptly knocked down four kills during a 4-1 surge which put the home team head to stay at 21-19. A service error momentarily stalled SF State's momentum; however a kill by Lauren Hoffman (Fresno,Calif., Clovis East HS, Fresno City College) fueled another 4-1 run that closed out the set in favor of the Gators.
The fourth set saw a reversal of fortune, as SF State was forced to rally from a 7-1 deficit. The Gators kept their composure, eventually taking a 14-13 lead after consecutive kills by Lamet. The ensuing nine serves resulted in five ties and four lead changes on the scoreboard until back-to-back kills by freshman Jennifer Jasper (San Jose, Calif., Prospect HS) and Hall, followed by three straight Otter attack errors, put SF State in the driver's seat at 23-18. CSUMB threw in one last scare, closing to within 24-23 on a kill by Fall, but Perkins ended the suspense with a kill of her own to close out a gritty match.
The Gators resume their homestand this weekend with a pair of matches against No. 21 Cal State L.A. (Oct. 30) and Cal State Dominguez Hills (Oct. 31). Both contests are slated to get underway at 7 p.m.
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