ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – The San Francisco State women's volleyball team suffered a three-set loss to 23
rd-ranked Sonoma State (25-19, 25-20, 25-12) on Friday in a California Collegiate Athletic Association match at The Wolves' Den in Rohnert Park.
The Gators (14-12, 10-11 CCAA) were led by
Lauren Walsh's six kills, while
Halimah Oswald,
Megan Johnson and
Jazmine Williams finished with five apiece. In addition,
Sarah Kurfess added 14 digs, while Walsh finished with 10 scoops of her own.
Conversely, the Seawolves (20-6, 17-4 CCAA) received double-digit kills from three players, including Keala Peterson, who posted a match-high 14 put-aways, while Ally Sather and Kelsey Hull contributed 10 each.
As a team, SSU held a 46-26 advantage in kills for the match, out-hitting the Purple and Gold .290-.078, and maintained a 12-8 edge in total blocks.
The two sides battled through 10 ties and five lead changes in the opening set, with SF State clinging to a slim 19-18 advantage following a Walsh kill. However, a Gator service error on the ensuing point opened the floodgates for a 7-0 Seawolves run to close out the frame. Peterson launched two non-returnables during that stretch, while Nicole Gragnola added an ace as the host school also benefited from two errant SF State attacks.
The Gators kept things close in the second stanza, until a Peterson kill and subsequent hitting error nudged SSU into the lead for good at 10-8. SF State was forced to play catch-up for the rest of the way, but the Seawolves successfully kept the visitors at a bay, building a five-point bulge on four occasions, including the final 25-20 spread on another Gator miscue at the net.
Stung, SF State was unable to get its offense on track in the third frame, knocking down just four kills during the set. Leading 11-6, SSU tallied six consecutive points to give itself a comfortable 17-6 cushion it would not surrender. The Gators pulled within eight at 18-10 following a Seawolves service error, but two kills each by Peterson and Sather down the stretch fueled a clinching 7-2 spurt.
SF State closes out its 2011 campaign on Saturday when it travels to Arcata, Calif., to lock horns with Humboldt State at Lumberjack Arena. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
Box Score
