SAN FRANCISCO –The San Francisco State women's volleyball team capped off an undefeated weekend after winning a pair of matches on Saturday at its home tournament, the California Clash. The Gators swept Saint Martin's (25-13, 25-16, 25-13) in an afternoon showdown, before taking down Chaminade in four sets (25-23, 25-11, 25-14, 25-11) later in the evening.

 

With the victories, SF State was one of three teams, along with Chico State and Humboldt State, to finish the tournament with a perfect 4-0 mark, raising its overall record to 7-1 in the process.

 

“I am extremely proud of our team,” said Gator head coach Michelle Patton. “We did a lot of great things this weekend to help prepare us for conference play. 

 

“I feel our players are learning how to prepare mentally for our matches and are beginning to understand what it takes to be a good team.”

 

Against Saint Martin's, sophomore transfer Robyn Hall (Hayward, Calif., Bishop O'Dowd HS, Univ. of Portland) paced SF State with a .529 hitting percentage, knocking down 10 kills on 17 attempts with just one error. Senior Beth Perkins (Woodland, Calif., Woodland Christian HS, Mt. Hood CC) also provided an offensive spark, hitting .357 for the match with a team-high 11 kills on 28 attempts (one error), while freshman Iris Tolenada (Antioch, Calif., Deer Valley HS) and junior Vanessa Shaw (Santa Barbara, Calif., Dos Pueblos HS, Santa Barbara CC) posted 35 assists and 16 digs, respectively.

 

The Saints finished with just 17 kills for the match while committing 17 errors on 100 attempts for a .000 attack percentage.  

 

The Gators led for most of the contest, overcoming just two minor deficits of 1-0 and and 2-1 in the second set.

 

SF State featured a balanced attack in the nightcap against Chaminade as Perkins, Kyle Lamet (Benicia, Calif., Carondelet HS) and Halimah Oswald (San Francisco, Calif., Waldorf HS) each finished with 11 kills. Tolenada also got into the act, hitting .875 for the contest with seven kills on eight attempts to go along with 37 assists.

 

The Gators never trailed in the opening set, but were never able to enjoy more than a five-point cushion after taking a 12-7 lead on consecutive kills from Hall. The Silverswords kept things close, pulling to within 24-23 after a kill by Whitney Vivieros. However, SF State promptly ended the threat as Tolenada set up Oswald with the clinching kill.

 

The Gators were seemingly inspired by the play as they raced to a commanding 13-1 advantage in the second frame and never looked back. 

 

However, SF State was unable to duplicate the same feat in the third stanza as Chaminade methodically took control, employing a 14-5 run to break a 1-1 tie. The visitors stretched the margin to 22-10 shortly thereafter, capturing the set going away.

 

The Silverswords carried that momentum into the fourth set, building an early 5-2 lead. Moments later however, the Gators went in front to stay at 8-7 following an Oswald kill, which ignited a 17-4 blitz to seal the victory. Chaminade was limited to a -.125 attack percentage during the set, committing eight errors on 24 attempts, compared to just five kills.

SF State continues its homestand next weekend when it plays host to Chico State on Friday, Sept. 11, in the California Collegiate Athletic Association opener for both teams, beginning at 7 p.m. The Gators then welcome Cal State Stanislaus to the Main Gymnasium the next evening on Sept. 12 for another 7 p.m. start.

Saint Martin's Box Score

Chaminade Box Score