[ Golden Gater Online - October 14, 1997 ]
Adam Weiler
Staff writer
Women's Volleyball:
On a night when the SF State crowd of spectators was into the match as much as the players, both went home disappointed after a heart-breaking third set come-from-behind victory by Humboldt State left the women's volleyball team stunned as they lost their fourth straight home game.
"Any loss at home is more difficult to neutralize playing on the road," coach Kathy Argo said.
After the Gators lost the first two matches by narrow margins, they jumped out to a 13-4 lead before the Lumberjacks rallied behind some big spikes and an unfortunate bounce off senior Kris Larsen's foot.
With the crowd chanting "Gators" and stomping their feet on the floor, Humboldt State tipped a ball over the net that looked to be going out of bounds. As senior Kris Larsen watched it carefully to make sure it went out, it glanced off the side of her foot and tied the match 14-14.
"I could swear we had that third game in the bag," said Michelle Trand, an SF State science major and volleyball supporter.
The Gators managed to stay close throughout the match. After trailing 14-10 in the first game, a service ace by junior Tracy Courtney cut the lead to 14-11. But that was as close as the Gators would come in the first game, losing 15-11.
The second game was tightly contested with the Gators jumping out to an early 5-2 lead on a service ace by Larsen.
Sophomore Keely Ziegler gave Humboldt State a facial on a spike and followed up with a nice tip to push the lead to 13-10. But a service ace by Keleise Tupelo cut the Gators' lead to 13-12 and the Lumberjacks went on from there to squeak out a 16-14 win.
After the two teams returned from the locker room break, the Gators, behind two big blocks and an ace from junior setter Amy Thomas, took a 4-0 lead.
A tip from junior Lindsay Jones extended the Gators' lead to 8-2 before Humboldt made its comeback, eventually taking the third game 16-14.
Humboldt State improved its conference record to 3-1 even without head coach Tina Raddish, absent because of her recent childbirth.
"This was a huge loss for the team in conference play," Argo said.
The Gators had a rough time serving in the third game, committing 16 service errors in the match.
"We need to work on our passing as well as serving under pressure," Argo said. "You also need to give Humboldt State credit, they played a very good match."
One of the leaders on this year's team is Thomas, who is responsible for running the offense.
"Obviously Amy has a dramatic effect on play," Argo said. "She has handled everything admirably so far."
According to backup setter Jen Klimek, "the position is a lot like a quarterback on a football team."
The Gators also lost a four-game match to rival California State University at Sonoma on Friday, 10-15, 15-12, 10-15, 10-15.
Once again the team was led by Larsen with 15 kills, followed by Jones with 13 and senior Dana Steigerwald with 11.
The losses dropped the Gators overall record to 8-12, 1-3 in the NCAC.
Men's Soccer:
The men's soccer team battled the weather as well as their opponent this week, failing to score a goal in the game.
On Wednesday, the Gators traveled to a windy, rainy Humboldt State. The Lumberjacks controlled the ball for much of the first half, taking seven shots on goal but failing to connect on any.
The best the Gators could manage was a shot by junior forward Ian Micklewright in the first half that just sailed wide. This was the first game back for Micklewright after sustaining a knee sprain on Sept. 13.
Humboldt State came out aggressive again in the second half taking eight shots, this time connecting three times. SF State attempted one shot in the half, this time by junior midfielder Lorenzo Magana.
The Gators were outshot by Humboldt State 15-2 and were shutout for the fourth time this season, 3-0.
On Saturday, the Gators shutout their opponents in the first half for the second straight game, but couldn't manage to take advantage.
CSU Chico scored the only goal of the game in the 88th minute on a crossing pass to Alan Roberson who found the back of the net.
The losses dropped the Gators record to 3-3 in conference, 5-6-1 overall. Next up will be a conference battle against the College of Notre Dame, which beat SF State earlier this season 1-0.
Women's Soccer:
The SF State women's soccer team made the most of its opportunities Wednesday against Humboldt State, especially sophomore Elena DeSantis.
DeSantis scored the only goal of the first half as her corner kick was tipped by the Humboldt State goalie before bouncing into the net.
Thanks to the aggressive play of sophomore goalie Karen Meagher (nine saves for the afternoon), the Gators held the lead 1-0 at halftime.
Humboldt State tied the game four minutes in the second half on a ball that just eluded Meagher's reach.
DeSantis went back to work by heading a ball off a Lumberjack defender and into the goal to take the 2-1 lead for the Gators.
SF State held the lead for the next 16 minutes until Humboldt State connected on the next three goals to take the game 4-2.
The loss dropped the Gators record to 0-4 in the NCAC, 2-10 overall.
[ Golden Gater - October 14, 1997 ]