SAN FRANCISCO – The SF State volleyball team continues to find itself in the win column, tonight was no different, a relentless defensive performance proved to the deciding factor as the Gators downed visiting Humboldt State in straight-sets 28-26, 25-19, 25-16 on Friday night.
SF State (9-9/7-4) improves to .500 and is now three games over the .500 mark in conference play following the impressive performance. The Gators held the Lumberjacks to a .082 attack percentage on the evening, HSU entered the night hitting .176 as a team. The Lumberjacks recorded 26 kills on the night, averaging less than 10 a set. In the second and third set they combined for just 14, while hitting into 11 errors.
The Gators compiled 57 digs on the evening, averaging 19 a set.
Jessica Nicerio recorded a match-high 16 digs while adding three assists and a service ace.
Jaclyn Clark followed up with 12 digs to go along with her match-high 16 kills for another double-double.
Krista Forte also tallied double-digits in digs, picking up 11.
On the attack, five players recorded at least five kills for SF State. Clark led the way with her 16 kills, she hit .265 on the evening.
Taylor Brownlee keeps her streak of at least 10 kills going, she finished the night with 11.
Samantha Krakower had seven kills, while
Christine Johnson and
Chantelle Williams both had five apiece.
After falling behind 7-4 early in the first set, the Gators and Lumberjacks traded barbs the remainder of the frame. The Gator briefly took an 18-16 in the middle of the set. The Jacks responded however, going on a small run retaking the lead on three-straight points, two via a kill and one by an ace. The Gators did not go down quietly, SF State tied the set on three-straight points at 23, all, the last coming on an emphatic kill by Brownlee. The Gators eventually took the set, 28-26 after an attack error and service error by the Jacks.
The first set featured 15 ties and five lead changes, the second was the opposite. After early ties in the set, the Gators took the advantage early and rode the momentum to a 25-19 win. In the second frame, the Jacks hit .000 recording just six kills. The Gators hit marginally better, hitting .143 but the difference was the play at the net. The Gators recorded 22 digs and kept extending long rallies to their advantage.
In the third and final set, it was all SF State. The Gators hit a match-high .294, while on defense SF State held the Lumberjacks to a .094 attack percentage. The Gators jumped out to an early 8-4 lead that prompted a Humboldt State timeout, out of the break SF State did not let up, eventually taking a 20-10 lead following a kill by Brownlee. Clark's final kill of the match sealed the set 25-16.
Catherine Feathers finished the night with a match-high 39 assists, she also had seven digs and an ace.
Arianna Cruz had five digs.
The Gators return to action tomorrow night when they host No. 24 Sonoma State. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Complete Box Score (
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Post Match Video--
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.
