CARSON, Calif. – Fresh off an exhausting five-set thriller over Cal State L.A. the previous night, the San Francisco State women's volleyball team avoided a letdown on Saturday by dispatching a plucky Cal State Dominguez Hills squad (25-17, 25-21, 23-25, 25-17) in a California Collegiate Athletic Association match at the Torodome.
With the victory, the Gators raise their record to 12-10 overall and 9-8 in league play, while the Toros slip to 3-20 on the year and 2-15 in the CCAA.
Halimah Oswald once again led a balanced SF State attack with 16 kills, while Robyn Hall (13), Lauren Walsh (11) and Sarah Lewis (11), who hit .450 on the day, also surpassed double digits in put-aways. In addition, the Gators received a match-high 50 assists and 21 digs from Iris Tolenada, who notched her fifth straight double-double and ninth of the year. In addition, Jackie Domecus established a new career high with 17 digs of her own, a figure matched by Sarah Kurfess as well.
CSUDH was paced by Elaine Hicks' 14 kills, while Olivia White and Celeste Tuioti-Mariner finished with 39 assists and 21 digs, respectively.
As a team, the Gators outhit the Toros .208-.130 and maintained a 58-47 advantage in kills and an 80-69 edge in digs.
The two teams combined for 25 ties and 11 lead changes on the afternoon as SF State employed key runs in the first two sets to help secure the victory.
After CSUDH took a 10-9 lead in the opening frame on a kill by Abbey Prusa, the Gators responded with a 16-7 outburst to close out the set, sparked by consecutive Lewis kills and capped by a Lewis and Tolenada block.
The second stanza featured another tight battle as neither team was able to build on a two-point until late in the set. With the score knotted at 19-19, Domecus served up an ace, while the Toros committed an attack error to put the Purple and Gold ahead to stay at 21-19. Moments later, SF State put the finishing touches on its timely 6-2 run as Lewis and Walsh launched back-to-back kills to give the visitors a commanding 2-0 lead in sets heading into the locker room.
The Gators had the tables turned on them in set number three as it was CSUDH's turn to close with a rush. With the score deadlocked at 20-20, a Gator attack error and a solo block by Prusa gave the host school a 22-20 lead it would not relinquish. SF State threw in one last scare, pulling to within 24-23 on a Toro service error. However, a kill by Denise DeVine thwarted any designs for a Purple and Gold comeback.
Leading 2-1 early in the fourth set, CSUDH was unable to capitalize on its momentum as Oswald and Hall combined on a pair of blocks, while the Toros committed three additional hitting errors during a 10-1 blitz that gave the Gators a commanding 11-3 advantage. CSUDH managed to pull within five at 21-16 on a kill by Elizabeth Krieger, but could draw no closer as a kill by Katie Mullen sealed the match.
SF State returns to action on Tuesday, Nov. 2, when it travels to Seaside, Calif., to face Cal State Monterey Bay in its final road match of the regular season. The Gators will then square off against Humboldt State (Nov. 5) and Sonoma State (Nov. 6) on consecutive nights at home next weekend. First serve for all three contests is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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