SAN FRANCISCO –The San Francisco State women's volleyball team received double-digit kills from three players, but it wasn't enough as the Gators dropped a four-set decision on Friday to visiting Chico State (25-21, 19-25, 25-22, 25-14) in the 2009 California Collegiate Athletic Association opener for both teams at the Main Gymnasium.

 

With the defeat, SF State (7-2, 0-1 CCAA) had its seven-match winning streak snapped, while the Wildcats (10-1, 1-0 CCAA) won their eighth in a row.

 

SF State was paced by freshman Lauren Walsh (Coto de Caza, Calif., Tesoro HS) who blasted a team-high 15 kills on 37 attempts with just three errors (.324), while senior Beth Perkins (Woodland, Calif., Woodland Christian HS, Mt. Hood CC) and sophomore Kyle Lamet (Benicia, Calif., Carondelet HS) knocked down 13 and 10 kills, respectively. Freshman Iris Tolenada (Antioch, Calif., Deer Valley HS) also got into the act, notching a double-double with 42 assists and 18 digs.

 

As a team, Chico State outhit the Gators .274-.227, limiting the host to school to a -.062 attack percentage in the fourth set. The Wildcats' Makenzie Snyder led all players with 25 kills for the night, while fellow teammate Sable Villaescusa added a match-high 48 assists.

 

After taking a 1-0 lead, SF State was forced to play catch-up for the remainder of the first set, but managed to pull even at 19-19 on a Wildcat service error. However, Chico State kept the Gators at bay with a 6-2 run to close out the frame.

 

SF State was all business in the second stanza, outhitting the visitors by a .417-.200 margin. The Gators, who led throughout the set, opened up a 16-10 advantage following a Walsh kill and two Wildcat attack errors.  Chico State narrowed the gap to 16-14, but could draw no closer as three straight kills by Perkins eventually put SF State back in the driver's seat at 21-15.

 

The pivotal third frame was a see-saw battle featuring 10 ties and three lead changes, while the two sides also combined for 36 kills.  With the score tied at 20-20, the Wildcats took the lead for good on consecutive kills by Jessica Leek and Snyder.

 

Stung, the Gators showed their resolve early in the fourth set, jumping out to a 6-4 advantage. However, Chico State laid any comeback hopes to rest by unleashing a 21-8 flurry to close out the match.

 

SF State will have little time to dwell on its setback as it returns to the court Saturday for a CCAA clash with Cal State Stanislaus in the Main Gymnasium. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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