SAN FRANCISCO – The SF State volleyball team leaves the friendly confines of the Main Gymnasium for a crucial three-match road trip that begins tomorrow night with a showdown against Bay Area rival Cal State East Bay.  The road trip resumes with matches at Cal State San Bernardino on Friday before wrapping up the week at UC San Diego on Saturday.
 
SF State enter this week with a 6-8 overall record, but they are currently sitting tied for sixth in the conference with a 4-3 mark in CCAA action.  As a team, the Gators are averaging 12.41 kills per set which ranks ninth in the conference, and they are hitting .172 which is 11^th.  Their opponents are averaging 12.6 kills per set and are hitting .202 against the Gators. 
 
Last week, the Gators went 2-1 with big wins over Cal State L.A. and Cal State Dominguez Hills on back-to-back nights.  The Gators defense did a remarkable job holding both squads below their season average on attack percentage.  The back row trio of Jessica Nicerio, Krista Forte and Arianna Cruz played exceptionally last week.  All three players averaged better than 2.50 digs per set, with Nicerio leading the squad with 63 digs over three matches, averaging 5.73 digs per set.  For the year, Nicerio is currently seventh in the CCAA averaging 4.50 digs per set.
 
On the attack, Jaclyn Clark led the Gators with 56 kills last week, averaging 5.09 kills per set while hitting .317.  Against Cal State Dominguez Hills, Clark was on fire.  She finished the night with her fifth double-double of the year, tallying 16 kills and 15 digs.  Her 16 kills came on 38 swings with just one error for a blistering .395 attack percentage.  On the year she has 172 kills, giving her 901 for her career, she needs just 99 more kills to become just the third player in SF State history to record 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs. 
 
Taylor Brownlee was also a huge factor for the Gators attack last week.  She finished the weekend with 47 kills, averaging 4.27 kills per set, hitting .273.  She's posted five-straight matches with 10 or more kills.  She is currently 14^th in the CCAA averaging 3.09 kills per set.
 
On Tuesday, the Gators will make the short trip to Hayward to take on Cal State East Bay at Pioneer Gymnasium.  All-time the Gators are 44-12 against the Pioneers and have won three-straight.  On Sept. 19 the Gators defeated CSUEB in four sets.  Cal State East Bay enters this week with a 3-12 overall record and are 1-6 in the CCAA having lost four-straight.  As a team, they are averaging 12.15 kills per set and hitting .184, meanwhile their opponents are averaging 13.46 kills per set and hitting .240.
 
On Friday, SF State will travel to San Bernardino to take on the No. 23 ranked Coyotes at Coussoulis Arena at 7:00 p.m.  Last year, the Gators and Coyotes split the season series with both teams taking the home contest.  CSUSB enters this week with a 12-3 overall record and are 5-2 in the CCAA. 
 
Last week, they split road contests, losing in five at Sonoma State before defeating Humboldt State in straight-sets.  As a team, the Coyotes are averaging 13.5 kills per set, and hitting .280 as a team.  Their opponents are hitting averaging 12.2 kills per set, while hitting .161.
 
UC San Diego is currently receiving four votes in the latest AVCA Coaches' Poll.  The Tritons enter this week with an 8-7 mark and are currently tied with the Gators at sixth in the CCAA with a 4-3 mark.  Last week, UCSD went 0-2 on the road falling to both Humboldt State and Sonoma State.  As a team, the Tritons are averaging 13.9 kills per set and hitting .223.  Their opponents are averaging 12.5 kills per set and hitting .186.
 
 
All three matches will feature live stats and live video, to access the video and live stats simply follow the link at the volleyball schedule page.  For up to the minute updates on the Gators and all 11 of SF State's athletic teams be sure to follow the Gators on twitter @SFState_Gators. 


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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