SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Up against a team that has won 26 or more matches in each of the last four years, Menlo Women's Volleyball had five different Oaks post four or more kills despite dropping a 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-15) result to No. 6 Tampa inside Don Nasser Family Plaza to conclude the SF State Gator Classic on Saturday.

Oaks Highlights

-Dayjah McFadden's 10 kills made it five straight contests that she has reached double figures
-13 assists from Jolianna Salazar led eight Oaks with at least one in the match
-Both Ruby Santos and Emily Licon delivered season-best dig totals, combining for 18 on the day

Menlo Shares Load On Offense
Coming right back after Tampa's initial 6-1 run, the Oaks rallied with multiple kills off the hand of freshman outside hitter Dayjah McFadden. The ensuing 6-0 Spartans run shifted momentum only temporarily as Menlo cut the gap to 21-17 with a 7-2 surge fueled by kills from senior outside hitter/opposite Giulia Marinelli and McFadden as well as two service aces. In the end, Tampa prevailed 25-18, setting up their 9-4 start to the second frame. Seven different Oaks were responsible for kills in the set as freshman outside hitter/opposite Kate Ross, senior middle blocker/opposite Maya Saole-Su'e, junior outside hitter Fuka Kikuchi, and senior middle blocker Janet Moala all got into the mix offensively. The difference was just five at 22-17 yet the Spartans held on to win 25-18.

Seven Menlo kills set up the Oaks to lock up with Tampa 8-8 to open the third set, but eight straight from the Spartans soon helped them lead 18-9. McFadden went on an absolute tear late in the frame, putting away four consecutive kills during a 4-0 burst by Menlo. However, Tampa countered with its own run down the stretch, pulling away for the 25-15 final.

Up Next
The start of Pacific West Conference play comes next week as Menlo travels to Southern California for matchups with Azusa Pacific (Sept. 17), Vanguard (Sept. 19), and Westmont (Sept. 20).