SEASIDE, Calif. – Bolstered by Robyn Hall's season-high 21 kills, the San Francisco State women's volleyball team gutted out a tough four-set victory over Cal State Monterey Bay (25-27, 25-20, 25-18, 26-24) in a California Collegiate Athletic Association match on Saturday at the Kelp Bed.
In addition to Hall, the Gators received double-digit kill totals from Halimah Oswald (18) and Megan Johnson (12), improving to 13-10 on the season and 9-9 in league play, while the Otters slip to 7-13 overall and 4-13 in the CCAA.
SF State also collected double-doubles from Iris Tolenada (57 assists, 26 digs) and Johnson (20 digs), while Kelly Ostello provided a spark with eight kills off the bench. Tolenada's dig total was a career-best, while Sarah Kurfess contributed 17 scoops of her own.
Despite trailing in blocks 12-3, the Gators managed to out-hit CSUMB .237-.188, maintaining a 67-50 advantage in kills to go along with an 85-74 edge in digs.
The two sides slugged it out in a nip-and-tuck opening frame that witnessed an incredible 20 ties and seven lead changes. Trailing 24-23, SF State withstood two set points, but could not survive a third as Rheann Fall recorded two kills for the final tally.
The second stanza was also a tight affair, with the Gators clinging to a slim 16-15 advantage following a kill by the Otters' Lacee Ventura. However, an Oswald put-away and two straight Johnson service aces ignited an 8-2 surge to put the Purple and Gold in the driver's seat at 24-17. CSUMB responded with three straight points, including a combined block by Fall and Lily Staight, but SF State regrouped following a timeout as a kill by Hall supplied the clincher.
After intermission, Hall picked right up where she left off, blasting five straight put-aways to open the third frame, while Tolenada added an ace, giving the Gators an 8-1 cushion they would not surrender. SF State posted its best attack percentage of the night, hitting at a .333 clip for the set on 18 kills in 42 attempts with just four errors.
The Gators also notched 18 put-aways in set number four, but were unable distance themselves from the plucky Otters, who benefited an SF State attack error and a wayward serve to tie the score at 14-14. A Johnson kill briefly put the Purple and Gold in front once again, but CSUMB countered with a 9-5 spurt, capped by a Fall non-returnable, to stake a 23-20 lead. With the contest seemingly headed for a fifth and deciding frame, the Gators flashed their mettle, closing with a timely 6-1 spurt to secure the victory. SF State took advantage of two Otter attack errors and an errant serve during that stretch, while Johnson knocked home the final two kills, including the match-winner.
CSUMB was paced by Fall's 20 put-aways, while Tiffany Riggs finished with seven total blocks.
The Gators, who are now tied for sixth in the CCAA, will return home next weekend, Nov. 4-5, when they face Cal State L.A. and Cal State Dominguez Hills on back-to-back nights, beginning at 7 p.m. Prior to Saturday's contest, SF State will honor Robyn Hall, Sarah Kurfess, Halimah Oswald, Reyna Rochin and Lauren Walsh in a special ceremony as part of Senior Night festivities.
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