SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – The San Francisco State women's volleyball team ended its Southern California road trip on a sour note Saturday, coming up short to third-ranked Cal State San Bernardino in three sets (25-15, 25-21, 25-20) in a California Collegiate Athletic Association match at Coussoulis Arena.
With the victory, the Coyotes extended their home winning streak to 33 matches, improving to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play, while the Gators slip to 3-4 on the season and 0-2 in the CCAA.
The Gators were led by sophomore Lauren Walsh, who knocked down 10 kills and tied for team-high honors with six digs, while eight of freshman Megan Larmour's attacks found the floor. Additionally, sophomore Iris Tolenada finished with 28 assists, while senior Jackie Domecus contributed six digs and a service ace.
SF State was unable to contain the CSUSB duo of Jane Chafeh (.333) and Samantha Middleborn (.368), who posted 14 and 10 kills, respectively. Chafeh also displayed her prowess at the net with three block solos and a block assist, while Camile Smith and Kelcie Tolan registered match-highs of 35 assists and 10 digs, respectively.
The Coyotes hit .458 during the opening set, while limiting the Gators to a -.036 attack percentage. The Gators kept things close, pulling to within 13-10 on a kill by Tolenada. However, CSUSB gave itself some breathing room at this juncture, reeling off seven straight points, capped by two SF State attack errors and a Chafeh kill to build an insurmountable 20-10 advantage.
The two teams battled one another through the midway point of the second frame, with the Gators clinging to a 15-13 lead following a Larmour kill. However, CSUSB responded with a 5-0 spurt, punctuated by a Middleborn kill to gain the upper hand for the remainder of the set. Trailing 24-20, SF State saw a glimmer of hope after a kill by senior Sarah Lewis; however, a Priscilla Collins kill on the ensuing serve provided the clinching point.
Following intermission, the two teams were tied in set number three at 3-3, until a Gator attack error put the home team ahead to stay. SF State managed to keep the Coyotes within sight at 13-10 after another Larmour kill. CSUSB then quickly answered the challenge with a decisive 6-2 run to build a 19-12 advantage. The Purple and Gold was able to narrow the gap to 23-20 on a service ace by junior Sarah Kurfess; however consecutive kills by Mercedes Winchester and Morgan Carty sealed the win for the Coyotes.
The Gators return to the SF State Main Gymnasium on Friday, Sept. 17, when they play host to Cal State East Bay in the opener of a five-match homestand. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
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