SAN FRANCISCO, CA – In the first of three days of action in the SF State Gator Classic, Menlo Women's Volleyball stepped inside Don Nasser Family Plaza and, despite holding leads in the second and third sets, the Oaks could not get past Cal State East Bay in Thursday's 3-0 (25-11, 25-23, 25-21) final.
Oaks Highlights
- Dayjah McFadden turned in her second straight double-double with 12 kills and 10 digs
- Seven different Oaks logged assists in the contest
- Fuka Kikuchi's 11 digs led the way for Menlo
Menlo Hangs, But Pioneers Push
After a strong 12-1 start for the Pioneers, Menlo responded by cutting the margin down to 15-8 on back-to-back kills. CSUEB, however, finished the set on another run, ending in front 25-11. After logging three kills in the early part of the second set, freshman outside hitter
Dayjah McFadden delivered a service ace for the 8-3 advantage. Junior outside hitter
Fuka Kikuchi soon sent down a kill to double up the Oaks on their opponent 12-6, but Cal State East Bay rallied back to lead and, after the sides exchanged short bursts, the Pioneers came away 25-23 winners, going ahead 2-0.
CSUEB used a 5-0 surge midway through the third set to gain a 13-7 margin, but that was quickly shortened to just three points as freshman middle blocker/opposite
Sophia Kelso swung for a kill then added a service ace at 16-13. Cal State East Bay would fend off the Oaks the rest of the way, holding on for the 25-21 result.
Up Next
As the SF State Gator Classic rolls on, Menlo will next match up with Western Oregon on Friday, Sept. 12 at 4:30 p.m.
