SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco State women's volleyball team came up short against one of the league's hottest teams on Friday, falling to 21st-ranked Cal State L.A. in four sets (25-17, 25-19, 24-26, 25-12) in a California Collegiate Athletic Association match in the Main Gymnasium.
Trailing 2-0 in sets, the Gators (17-8, 10-7 CCAA) had designs on a comeback after capturing the third frame in dramatic fashion, but the momentum stalled as the Golden Eagles (17-7, 13-4 CCAA) took the fourth set going away en route to their eighth victory in their last nine outings.
Freshman Lauren Walsh (Coto de Caza, Calif., Tesoro HS) tied for match-high honors with nine kills, while fellow classmate Iris Tolenada (Antioch, Calif., Deer Valley HS)handed out 33 assists. On the defensive side of the ball, junior Vanessa Shaw (Santa Barbara, Calif., Dos Pueblos HS)posted 17 digs, while sophomore Brittany Powell (Chula Vista, Calif., Otay Ranch HS) provided a spark off the bench with five total blocks (one solo, four assists).
CSULA was led by the trio of Gabriela Bulawczyk, Zuzana Cizova and Marquis Mora, who each totaled nine kills on the night, while Kaylynne De La Rosa recorded a match-best 40 digs.
SF State nursed a slim 10-9 lead in the opening frame before committing consecutive attack errors that contributed to a 7-0 Eagle surge, giving the visitors a 16-10 cushion they would not relinquish.
The two teams slugged it out in the early stages of set two; however, the Gators were once again unable to prevent another sizeable CSULA run. After SF State jumped out to a 7-4 advantage on a service ace by junior Mackenzie Pike (Monrovia, Calif., Monrovia HS, Citrus College), a kill by Chelsea Hamilton ignited a 13-3 blitz which put the Eagles in command at 17-10.
The Gators fought themselves off the ropes with a spirited effort in the third stanza, which witnessed 13 ties and 10 lead changes. With the scored tied at 23-23, a kill by Annie Kim seemingly put CSULA in the driver's seat at 24-23. However, SF State turned the tables with three quick points on a kill by senior Beth Perkins (Woodland, Calif., Woodland Christian HS, Mt. Hood CC), a block by Powell and sophomore Kyle Lamet (Benicia, Calif., Carondelet HS) and a Tolenada service ace to escape with the set.
Spurred by their good fortune, the Gators jumped out to a 5-3 lead in the fourth set, but were unable to give themselves additional breathing room as the Eagles promptly scored the next five points to pull in front for good at 8-5. SF State stemmed the tide temporarily as a CSULA attack error and another Pike service ace brought the home team back to within one at 8-7. However, any notions of a rally were soon dashed after the Gators committed an attack error of their own on the next serve, while De La Rosa followed with a kill to fuel a 14-4 flurry that put the set out of reach at 22-11.
SF State returns to the hardwood on Saturday with a Halloween showdown against Cal State Dominguez Hills in the Main Gymnasium. Match time is set for 7 p.m.
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