Volleyball | 8/29/2009 4:42:00 PM

Box Score [Box score]

MONMOUTH, Ore. - It took two sets going to extra points and another coming down to the wire but San Francisco State was able to sneak past Western Oregon University in four sets, 27-25, 23-25, 26-24 and 25-16, Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Seawolf Spike Tournament.

WOU is still looking for that illusive first victory of the season as it fell to 0-3 while SFSU moved to 2-1.

Danielle Reese had a Western Oregon season-best 20 kills in the match to lead all both sides however San Francisco State had three performers reach double-figures in kills as Beth Perkins had 19, Halimah Oswald 14 and Kyle Lamet 10. Cally Young topped the digs category with 18 as Danielle English and Danielle Reese each chipped in with 11, giving Reese her first double-double of the season. Amy Herron was the team-leader with 41 assists which included just one setting error.

For the match San Francisco State outhit WOU .240 to .211 but it was able to grab wins in the first and second sets when being outhit. The Gators also won the battle at the net outblocking the Wolves 10 to 4.

WOU held the lead for much of the first set keeping SFSU at bay by one to three points until three consecutive attacking errors allowed the Gators to pull even at 17-17. The two teams then went alternating three point bursts until the set was tied at 20-20. After trading points Western Oregon was the benefit three straight attack errors by San Francisco State to take the lead at 24-21. The Gators would not go away however, and they scored three straight points and six of the final seven for the 27-25 first set victory.

In the second set, Western Oregon held leads at 17-10 and 20-13 before holding on to win the set 25-23. Down the stretch the Wolves received kills from the freshman Irene Walter and Reese along with three errors by the Gators to knot the match at one set apiece.

The third set was a change of pace as Western Oregon this time was forced to battle from behind. SFSU went in front at 10-9 and would never relinquish the lead despite WOU coming back to tie it at 20 and at 24. However, two kills by Oswald closed the set and gave San Francisco State the one set lead in the match.

The Wolves just ran out of gas in the four set as the Gators jumped in front 2-0 and never gave up the lead. WOU brought the set to within two points at 9-7 but could not take the lead and eventually fell 25-16 giving the match to SFSU.

The Western Oregon volleyball team will close out the Seawolf Spike Tournament tonight (Aug. 29) when it faces Humboldt State at 7:00 p.m.