LOS ANGELES – The San Francisco State women's volleyball team could not extend its five-match winning streak on Saturday night, falling to host Cal State L.A. in three sets (25-20, 25-20, 25-11) at the Eagles Nest. SF State was unable to prevent a pair of key Golden Eagle runs in the first and second sets, slipping to 12-3 on the season and 5-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, while CSULA improves to 9-5 and 5-2 in conference play.
Individually SF State was led by sophomore Kyle Lamet (Benicia, Calif., Carondelet HS), who knocked down 10 kills on 22 attempts with just two errors (.364 pct.), while freshman Iris Tolenada (Antioch, Calif., Deer Valley HS) and junior Vanessa Shaw (Santa Barbara, Calif., Dos Pueblos HS, Santa Barbara CC) totaled 27 assists and 10 digs, respectively.
As a team, the Eagles outhit the Gators .386-.112, owning a 44-35 edge in kills and a 50-29 advantage in digs.
SF State, which trailed for most of the opening frame, managed to knot the score at 13-13 following a CSULA attack error. However, the Gators were unable to grab the upper hand as consecutive kills by the Eagles' Zuzana Cizova and Marquis Mora ignited a 12-7 run to close out the set, giving the host team the early advantage.
The two sides then slugged it out in the second stanza, combining for 13 ties and six lead changes. SF State pulled ahead, 15-14, after back-to-back kills from Lamet and freshman Lauren Walsh (Coto de Caza, Calif., Tesoro HS); however an 8-2 outburst swung the momentum in favor of the Eagles at 22-17. The Gators were given new life after three straight CSULA attack errors narrowed the gap to 22-20, but could draw no closer as the Eagles notched three straight kills to capture the set.
Things started ominously for SF State in set number three as it found itself on the wrong side of a 6-1 deficit. CSULA stretched its lead to 13-5 until consecutive kills by Tolenada and senior Beth Perkins (Woodland, Calif., Woodland Christian HS, Mt. Hood CC) followed by an Eagle attack error brought the visitors back to within 13-8. However, the CSULA put to rest any hopes of a Gator rally after a 12-3 blitz sealed the victory.
SF State, which now finds itself in a three-way tie for third place in the CCAA, continues its road stretch next weekend with a pair of league matches at Cal State East Bay (Oct. 2) and fourth-ranked UC San Diego (Oct. 3). Starting time for both contests is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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