LA JOLLA – The SF State volleyball team put together a dominating defensive effort on Saturday night.  The Gators held UC San Diego to a .091 attack percentage as SF State earned a huge four set win, defeating the Tritons 22-25, 25-23, 25-14, 25-21 at the Rimac Arena.

The Gators (8-9/6-4 CCAA) recorded 100 team digs, with six players recording 10 or more digs.  Leading the defensive effort was senior libero Jessica Nicerio who finished the night with a match-high 29 digs.  The career-leader in digs at SF State set a new career-high in the process. 

"Amazing defensive effort tonight both at the net and in the back court," said head coach Jill Muhe.  "The rallies were incredible. I'm really happy with the way we battled for every point."

Joining Nicerio in the defensive clinic was Krista Forte, who tallied 18 digs. Jaclyn Clark recorded 16, Catherine Feathers had 13, Taylor Brownlee tallied a career-high 11 digs on the night.

At the net, the Gators recorded 14 total blocks, led by Christine Johnson and Samantha Krakower's six total blocks apiece.

On the attack, Clark and Brownlee were exceptional.  They both finished the night with a double-double tallying 16 and 17 kills respectively.  Freshman opposite Chantelle Williams had a career-night.  She finished with 12 kills on 29 swings with one error for a .429 attack percentage.

In the opening set, the Gators struck first, and led by as much as three at one point.  However, the Tritons were able to tie the set up late at 18 and eventually took the lead, holding on to win 25-22.  The Gators recorded kills from five players and only had four attack errors, but the Tritons were able to overcome six attack errors to take the frame.

In the second set the Gators were forced to use an early timeout, as UCSD jumped out to an early lead.  SF State managed to whittle that lead down and tied the set up at 15 apiece.  The back and forth play resumed with the Gators eventually taking the lead for good at 24 on a kill by Williams.  Johnson sealed the set with a service ace.

In the third set, it was all SF State.  The Gators jumped out to a quick 5-1 lead.  They kept increasing it and eventually found themselves up nine, 18-9, forcing the Tritons to uses a timeout.  The Gators maintained the pressure, eventually taking the set 25-14.  Defensively, the Gators held UCSD to .023 attack percentage, while hitting a match-best .250 in the frame.

In the fourth and final set, the Gators once again fell behind early.  But like they did in the second set, they rallied back.  The Gators defense continued their tremendous play, holding the Tritons to a .022 attack percentage.  Brownlee broke the 20-20 tie and gave the Gators the lead for good with a kill, she later sealed the win with her 17^th kill of the night, giving the Gators the set, 25-21.

The Gators return to the friendly confines of the Don Nasser Family Plaza as they host Humboldt State on Friday at 7:00 p.m.

Complete Box Score (HTML)

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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.