SAN FRANCISCO – Fresh off upsets of two nationally ranked teams last weekend, the San Francisco State women's volleyball team was unable to extend its magic on Tuesday, as it dropped a four-set decision to Cal State Monterey Bay (25-21, 25-19, 19-25, 25-21) in a key California Collegiate Athletic Association matchup in the Main Gymnasium.

 

The Gators received double-digit kills from three players, including Lauren Walsh (19), Robyn Hall(13) and Halimah Oswald (12), but it wasn't enough as the Purple and Gold slip to 5-5 on the season and 2-3 in league action, while the Otters, who received votes in this week's AVCA Division II coaches poll, improve to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the CCAA.

 

Oswald notched a season-high .521 attack percentage on 21 attempts with no errors, while Walsh added 12 digs for her fifth double-double of the year. Kelsie Brennan, playing in just her second match of the season, also got into the act, recording career bests of six kills, 13 attempts and a .462 hitting percentage, while Iris Tolenada and Sarah Kurfess collected match-highs of 46 assists and 29 digs, respectively.

 

“We made way too many errors on the outside tonight,” said SF State head coach Michelle Patton. “Halimah and Kelsie were both great in the middle, but the game is ultimately won or lost on the outside.”

 

CSUMB was led by Rheann Fall, who came away with match-high honors of 20 kills and tied Dionna Lucas with a team-best 13 digs. Earlier this week, Fall garnered CCAA player of the week honors and similarly captured AVCA Division II national player of the week accolades as well.

 

Although the Gators owned a 55-47 advantage in kills and held a 79-57 margin in digs, SF State fell victim to 11 Otter service aces and committed more attack errors (29-17).

 

The Purple and Gold found itself in a tight battle throughout the opening set, which featured eight ties and two lead changes. With the score knotted at 19-19, CSUMB closed with a 6-2 spurt, capped by a Lauren Ding kill.

 

In the second stanza, the Otters built a seemingly comfortable 18-7 advantage, until the Gators fought themselves back into contention with an 11-4 run, trimming the deficit to 22-18 following a CSUMB attack error. However, the comeback stalled as the visitors kept SF State at bay for the remainder of the set, with Melanie Lashbrook's kill representing the clinching point. 

 

The Gators had visions of another improbable rally after taking the third frame by another 25-19 count. SF State registered its best hitting set of the night (.282), totaling 16 kills in 39 attempts with five errors. The Purple and Gold limited the Otters to just a .077 attack percentage on 11 kills in 39 attempts with eight miscues. Trailing 6-5, SF State jumped in front to stay after reeling off four straight points, punctuated by a CSUMB attack error. Shortly thereafter, another errant shot gave the host school a 20-14 bulge, which it would not relinquish.

 

Set number four was another seesaw affair, until a dump shot over the net by Dana Grimm gave the Otters the lead for good at 17-16. CSUMB was able to widen the gap to four points on two occasions soon after, including a 22-18 cushion courtesy of a Gator attack error. SF State threw in some late theatrics, narrowing the gap to 22-21 after an Oswald service ace. However, the Otters tallied the final three points on two kills by Fall and an SF State attack error, which gave the visitors the hard-fought win.

 

The Gators will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 24, for another CCAA match against Cal State Dominguez Hills, starting at 7 p.m.

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