ROHNERT PARK, CALIF. - On Saturday October 2nd, the Sonoma State women's volleyball team continued conference play against bay area rival SF State. Both teams came in with a 4-1 CCAA record and after a forfeit and no game on Thursday night, the Seawolves were fresh and looking for an upset win. SF State would come into the contest with a dominating 11-1 record overall. 

After two quick first sets, Sonoma State found themselves down 2-0 to SF State and were in an early hole. Despite the unideal start, the Seawolves were poised to fight back and just continue to extend the match one set at a time.  

HEad coach Bear Grassl and his group found another gear to start the third set as they went on a 7-1 scoring run forcing an early timeout from the Gators. Jenn Trephan would contribute two aces and a kill during that stretch and Kiana Richardson would add two kills of her own to help extend the early lead. As the set continued, Jessie Hobbs would come off the bench and provide a nice spark for the Seawolves as their lead was diminishing. Hobbs recorded a lovely sweeping kill to her right to help give SSU a two point lead. However, the Gators would claw their way back to a 17-16 lead forcing a Seawolf timeout just over halfway through the match. 

Out of the timeout they would respond as the Seawolves grabbed the next two points to jump back in front. Despite two convincing sets early on from SF State, the third set would contain much more back and forth action that would play into the Seawolves hands. Sonoma State would begin to seize control of the decisive third set with a massive block from Kiana Richardson and Leilani Hallman that extended SSU's lead to three points. Emily Eaton would keep the ball rolling with an ace to extend their lead to four. Up 23-20 with the Gators serving, the Seawolves would grab a huge point. After the Gators blocked Kiana Richardson's kill attempt, the ball would fly straight up over the net where Amy Trephan would react first and get the easy poke over the net to earn the momentous kill. After being up 24-22, the Gators would grab the next two points to tie it up and force the set past the 25-point mark. Grassl and hia group would maintain their composure however, and earn kills in the next two rally's from Kiana Richardson and Jessie Hobbs to win the third set 26-24. 

On to the fourth set we went at The Wolves' Den as the Seawolves looked to spark a comeback and turn the night into a five set affair. The fourth set would start in similar fashion as the third with both teams trading punches early on. Emily Eaton and Jenn Trephan would record back-to-back points via  an ace and a kill. After a 5-1 scoring run early in the set, the Seawolves would hang around and go on an 8-1 scoring run late in the set to give them the upper hand. Kiana Richardson, Leilani Hallman, and Jenn Trephan would all contribute kills during that stretch. Outside hitter Kiana Richardson would deliver the final blow with a thunderous kill setup by Jenn Trephan to end the set and force a fifth and final set to decide the match. Sophomore Dylan Copeland also contributed defensively for the Seawolves as she would go on to play in four of the five sets and record five digs in the match. 

With match point only at 15 for the final fifth set, the Gators jumped out to an early lead giving them a significant advantage. SF State would score 6 of the opening 8 points in the set. Grassl and his group would fight back and bring the match to within three points. Amy Trephan would go on a solo run with three straight kills for SSU. The Seawolves comeback would fall short however, as the Gators grabbed a four point lead and were able to close out the fifth and final set. 

Jenn Trephan was just one assist shy of tying the game high but she would lead SSU with 24 on the night. Kiana Richardson would lead the way with 9 kills in the match while Leilani Hallman recorded a game and season high 7 blocks in the five set defeat. 

Sonoma State falls to 6-7 on the year but remains near the top of the CCAA standings with a 4-2 conference record. The Seawolves will hit the road next week against Cal State East Bay before flying down south to face off against Cal State San Marcos.   

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