SAN FRANCISCO – Standout offense helped push Menlo Women's Volleyball to dominate the opening set against San Francisco State on Thursday evening inside SF Federal Credit Union Gym, but the Gators fought back to stop the Oaks' win streak at four matches, prevailing 3-1 (18-25, 25-19, 25-15, 25-21).
Oaks Highlights
-Leading the way with 15 kills (her second-highest total of the season),
Dayjah McFadden hit a career-high .433
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Kate Ross put away a career-high 14 kills including six in the first set alone
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Ruby Santos and
Makenna Mello shared the load with a combined 38 assists
-In addition to her eight kills,
Michelle Mlikan delivered a season-best 23 digs
Opening Set Highlighted By Menlo's .432 Hitting Clip
After trailing the Gators 14-12 in the opening set of this return to California Collegiate Athletic Association action, Menlo proceeded to take command of the frame with a 10-2 run highlighted by three kills from sophomore outside hitter/opposite
Kate Ross. The Danville native added her sixth kill of the set to give the Oaks a six-point lead at 23-17 before kills from senior outside hitter
Fuka Kikuchi and sophomore outside hitter
Dayjah McFadden finished off the 25-18 victory.
Ahead 10-9 in the second set, Menlo was met with a 10-4 push by the home team and, despite multiple kills from junior outside hitter
Michelle Mlikan and McFadden in a late comeback attempt, SF State was able to even the match with a 25-19 result. The Gators then established a 10-5 advantage to begin the third frame only to see the margin cut to two on consecutive kills by Mlikan, McFadden, and sophomore middle blocker/opposite
Sophia Kelso. However, an ensuing nine of 10 points went to the Gators before they moved in front on a 25-15 win.
A 9-7 deficit in the early going of the fourth set was suddenly expanded by SF State's 6-0 run, but a service ace from senior libero
Emily Licon and a block combining McFadden and Kelso keyed four unanswered points thereafter. Kikuchi and McFadden continued to swing with success as Menlo came within one on three occasions before falling 25-21 to a Gators squad that committed just six errors in the night's final three sets.
Up Next
Remaining local for the week's final match, Menlo now prepares to face Cal State East Bay this Saturday at 5 p.m.
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