SAN FRANCISCO – The play from the back row was tremendous on Friday evening, as the San Francisco State women's volleyball team recorded a season-high 68 digs. However, the Gators attack could not keep up with visiting Cal State East Bay, who took the match 3-1 (17-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-25) at the Main Gym at the Don Nasser Family Plaza.
SF State (1-18/0-10 CCAA) continue to show signs of improvement. The Gators held a red-hot Pioneers (11-9/7-5 CCAA) squad to a .220 attack percentage. SF State hit .097 on the evening, tallying 41 kills, tied for fourth most on the season, on 165 swings with 25 errors.
Christine Johnson led the Gators with 13 kills, she also tallied 14 digs for her second career double-double.
Danielle Ryan tallied a career-high with 20 digs, it was the second-most digs recorded by a Gator this season.
Jessica Stratton recorded 19 digs of her own.
In the opening set the Gators and Pioneers battled each other back and forth, with the set eventually tied 10-10, the Pioneers went on a 3-0 run and forced a Gator time out. CSUEB never looked back taking the opening frame 25-17.
In the second set, SF State raced out to a 4-1 lead, forcing the Pioneers to burn an early timeout. From there the Gators strong play at the net set the tone for the frame. SF State recorded three total blocks with
Abby Griffith tallying three block assists. Johnson was on fire in the set, throwing down eight kill son 16 swings with one error for a .438 attack percentage. Johnson's eighth kill of the set sealed the frame for the Gators who took it 25-20 to go into the break tied 1-1.
In the third set, the Pioneers took away Johnson, who managed two kills on 13 swings, the rest of the Gators rallied late for eight kills, three coming from
Danielle Ryan. But it wasn't enough as CSUEB hit .270 and took the third set 25-19.
In the fourth and final set, the Gators could not overcome a fast start the by Pioneers. CSUEB scored five quick points and held that momentum, taking the set 25-15. The Gators attack went cold in the frame, hitting -.070.
The Gators return to action tomorrow evening when they host Cal State Monterey Bay at 7:00 p.m.
GAME NOTES:
Gators Hot Second Set
In the second set the Gators attack was brilliant, tallying 16 kills on 41 swings with five errors, for a .268 attack percentage. The 16 kills were a season-high in an individual match.
Digs Everywhere
Three players finished with 14 or more digs tonight, helping the Gators record a season-high 68 digs. Ryan's 20 digs were the second most all-season. The Gators previous high in digs came in the five set loss to Cal State Dominguez Hills when the Gators recorded 66.
Block Party
Five Gators recorded at least one block assist tonight, as the play at the net was very strong. Jonson led the way with five total blocks, including two solo blocks.
Abby Griffith had four block assists.
She's Heating Up
For the third-straight match,
Lexi Chabiniak recorded a career-high in kills. Tonight she finished with seven kills on 26 swings. The 25 attacks were also a season-high.
Dig Pink
Tonight was the Gators Annual Dig Pink Night. CCAA volleyball teams and Molten have teamed up again this October to promote National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
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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.
