If Saturday’s night game against the No. 1 ranked team Cal State San Bernardino Coyotes was the measuring stick for the SF State women’s volleyball team, then the Gators not that far away from success.

The Gators pushed the talented Coyotes to the limit and gave them a run for their money. However, in the end the Coyotes won in four sets 25-22, 24-26, 25-17 and 25-18 to remain undefeated at 9-0, (2-0 CCAA).

SF State coach Michelle Patton said, “Obviously having the No. 1 team come in and taking a set from there was good and being able to compete with them for a good amount of the game has to encourage these girls.”

The game was highlighted by a furious comeback by the Gators during set two in which the team facing match point overcome a 24-22 deficit and rallied to win the set 26-24 in dramatic fashion.

The players jumped for joy after stunning the Coyotes in impressive fashion. Despite the rally, the Gators couldn't recapture that magic in the next two sets to pull out the win.

“It was encouraging to know we can compete with a great team like Cal State San Bernardino and play well,” said freshman middle hitter Halimah Oswald from Waldorf High School in San Francisco.

Cali led the team with nine kills.

The Gators as team feel tonight’s game was a sign of things to come in future games.

“Tonight we got better at staying more consistent the whole game,” said freshman libero Christina Johnson who tallied 20 digs during the contest.

Freshman Middle Hitter Brittany Powell from Otay Ranch HS in Chula Vista, Calif said, “We played hard and was everyone was really communicating with each other tonight.”

Powell hit .471 for the match as she had eight kills.

The loss leaves the Gators at 6-4, (0-2 CCAA) and the team has a couple of days off to regroup and refocus on upcoming conference play.

The Gators return to action on Wednesday Sept.17 as they travel to Cal State Monterey Bay to take on the Otters. Play begins at 7 p.m.