Arcata – The SF State women's volleyball team played arguably its best all-around match of the season to begin a grueling road trip. The Gators posted season-highs in blocks and digs, unfortunately it would not be enough as Humboldt State (13-5/10-4 CCAA) came away with the win, 3-1 (21-25, 25-22, 19-25, 21-25) at Lumberjack Arena.
Four Gators (9-10/7-7 CCAA) recorded 14 or more digs with
Jacquie Brice recording 21,
Jessica Nicerio followed with 20,
Krista Forte recorded 14 digs,
Jaclyn Clark tallied 18 along with her team-high 14 kills. At the net the Gators were just as strong, recording a season-high 13 total blocks. Leading the team was middle blocker
Jazmine Williams who had her best night of the season, recording nine blocks, eight kills and seven digs. Brice added five blocks;
Kaileen Mejia added four to go along with her 12 kills, while
Bria Morgan and
Melissa Horton added three each.
In the opening set the Gators raced out to an early 3-1 lead. However, the Jacks quickly established momentum going on a 9-3 run to take a 10-6 lead. Coming out of a timeout the Gators defense took over, eventually tying the set and taking the lead on back-to-back kills by Williams, going up 17-16. Ultimately, unforced errors by SF State led to the Gators undoing, and HSU took the opening set 25-21. SF State hit .123 as a team, recording 15 kills on 57 swings with eight errors. Humboldt State, however, hit .180 with 14 kills on 50 swings with five errors.
In the second set the roles were reversed. The Gators once again had to battle back after a slow start to the set, trailing 9-5. Out of the timeout SF State took control, the Gators tied the set at 11 on a kill by Williams. The following play gave the Gators the lead on a Humboldt State attack error. The Gators held on to win the set 25-22 with the help of Clark who caught fire and recorded five kills on the set and the Gators defense which held the Jacks to a .116 attack percentage, and forced 10 errors on the set.
Out of the break the Gators defense continued to play well at the net, but Humboldt State had their best numbers of the evening on the attack, hitting .255 as a team with 18 kills. The Gators on the other hand could only muster 10 kills on 33 swings for a .182 attack percentage. Defensively the Gators continued to play well, recording four blocks and 19 digs but it wouldn't be enough as HSU won the set 25-19, the largest margin of victory on the evening.
In the fourth and final set things were going well for SF State, the Gators jumped out to an early 5-3 lead following a kill by Clark. The Gators continued to increase their lead on the strength of their dominating play at the net. SF State led by six late, 18-12. Coming out of a timeout the Lumberjacks took control and eventually put the set away and took the match going on a big run, winning the set 25-21.
The Gators will return to action on Saturday, traveling to San Bernardino, Calif., to take on the No. 15 Coyotes at Coussoulis Arena. First serve is slated for a 7:00 p.m. start.
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Gator Athletics has a proud tradition of competitive success within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The department offers 12 intercollegiate sports programs: Baseball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Men's and Women's Soccer, Softball, Women's Track & Field, Women's Volleyball and Men's wrestling.Gator Athletics places great emphasis on academic performance as well as athletic achievement. The program offers student athletes the opportunity to reach their educational goals, as well pursue meaningful athletic accomplishments. For more information, visit SF State Athletics' website, Twitter and Facebook pages.
