San Francisco – The SF State women's volleyball found themselves one point shy of taking a commanding 2-1 lead into the fourth set, in an effort to record their second upset of a top-25 team in as many weeks.  In the end, No. 19 UC San Diego rallied and held off the Gators in four sets, winning 3-1 (19-25, 25-21, 29-27, 18-25).

The Gators (5-6/3-3 CCAA) were in a battle all evening with the Tritons (7-4/5-2 CCAA).  The match featured 19 tie scores and nine lead changes; none bigger than the swing in momentum coming late in the third set.  A kill by Bria Morgan had the Gators up 26-25 late; unfortunately UCSD scored four of the next five points and won the set 29-27.  The Gators lead by as much as five midway through the set but could not hang on.

Morgan once again had an impressive night for the Gators.  She finished with 16 kills on the evening, 11 of which came in the first two sets.  Three other Gators recorded double-digits in kills, led by junior Jaclyn Clark who tied for a match-high 18 kills while picking up 17 digs.  Up the middle Kaileen Mejia and Jazmine Williams were a force.  Mejia finished with 14 kills on 33 swings for a .364 attack percentage, while Williams boasted 11 kills on 26 swings for a match-high .385 attack percentage.  Williams also finished with 1.5 blocks on the night.

Setter Jacquie Brice recorded her sixth double-double of the year and fourth in a row with a match-high 55 assists and 21 digs.  The 21 digs marks a new career-high for Brice.  Jessica Nicerio finished with 21 digs and four assists with two aces in a busy evening, while Arianna Cruz continues her solid play in the back row finishing with 14 digs.

To begin the match the Tritons jumped out to the early 1-0 lead, taking the opening frame 25-19.  UCSD hit .325 in the set while holding the Gators to a .238 average.  Hurting SF State to open the match was unforced errors, as the Gators had eight of them.

In the second set the Gators once again had a slow start.  UC San Diego scored the first four points prompting an early timeout call from head coach Jill Muhe.  Out of the break SF State responded going on a 10-4 run.  SF State led by as much as four in the frame and held on to win the set 25-21.  The Gators hit .378 in the set and held the Tritons to a match-low .200 attack percentage.

In the fourth and final set the Tritons attack took over. UCSD hit a match-high .415 recording 19 kills on 41 swings.  The Gators battled but could not overcome the early 6-1 lead. 

SF State returns to court on Wednesday when they travel to Rohnert Park to take on Sonoma State at the Wolves Den at 7:00 p.m.

Match Highlights and Post Match Quotes