SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The SF State women's volleyball team played its second-consecutive five set match, this time, the Gators held on to earn the gritty win over host Cal State San Marcos at Hunter Gymnasium Friday afternoon.
The Gators (4-7/2-2 CCAA) got it done mostly on the attack, as they recorded a season-high 63 kills. Cal State San Marcos (3-10/0-5 CCAA) did not make it easy for the Gators as they forced SF State into 39 attack errors on the day, 18.5 coming by way of a block.
"It was an up and down match," said head coach
Jill Muhe. "But I was really happy with the way we battled and put together a quality game at critical times."
At the end of the match, several Gators boasted career-high's led by
Taylor Brownlee's offensive explosion. The junior outside hitter finished with a career-best 24 kills on 60 swings.
Jaclyn Clark and
Christine Johnson joined her in double-figures in kills. Johnson finished the day with a career-high 14 kills. While Clark recorded her fourth double-double with 14 kills and 13 digs.
Setter
Catherine Feathers recorded a double-double with 54 assists and 11 digs. The 54 assists marks a new career-high for Feathers.
Krista Forte recorded a career-high with 23 digs.
Jessica Nicerio had another impressive night, the Gators libero finished with 20 digs of her own.
In the opening set, errors put the Gators behind the eight ball as they trailed early 6-4. SF State was able to right the ship however, and following a Krakower kill the Gators held a 10-8 lead. From there SF State went on a 8-2 run to take control of the set. Brownlee's seven kills propelled the Gators to a 25-17 win in the opening frame.
In the second set the Cougars flipped the script on the Gators. SF State hit into five attack errors early in the second set to trail 12-4 in the early going. All told, the Gators hit into 11 errors in the set, as the Cougars took the frame 25-14.
In the third set the Gators reduced their attack errors, taking an early lead. After a timeout by Cal State San Marcos, the Cougars cut the Gators lead to one, 12-11. From there, SF State wen on an 8-2 run to go up 20-13, they eventually took the set, 25-18 on a kill by Clark.
The fourth set played out similar to the second set. Attack errors by the Gators gave the Cougars a commanding lead, as they jumped out to an early 10-1 advantage. They were able to hold on to that lead, extending it by a point, going up 18-7. Out of a Gator timeout, SF State managed to cut into that deficit, cutting it to seven, but that was as close as they would get as Cal State San Marcos forced the fifth and final set, taking set four 25-18.
The fifth and final set was tight, the Gators jumped out to a 3-1 lead following a kill by
Samantha Krakower. However, the Gators could never get a comfortable lead. They took the lead at the switch, going up 8-6 following a kill by Brownlee. The Cougars cut the lead to one point five times, but with the score 13-11, SF State took a foothold and eventually finished off the Cougars 15-12 on a kill by Brownlee.
The Gators return to action on Tuesday, September 29 when they host Stanislaus State at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Gymnasium at the Don Nasser Family Plaza.
Complete Box Score
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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.