The SF State women’s volleyball team lost an upset match to CSU Monterey despite standout performances from several players on Wednesday night, Oct. 22.

“We need to come-in stronger and expecting that they’re going to fight back harder,” said outside hitter Maddy Lorenz. “We can’t just think that because we’ve beaten someone that they’re going to just lay down for us.”

The Gators had defeated the Monterey Otters in their last meeting on Sept. 17.

SF State lost in five sets (25-27, 25-20, 25-19, 16-25, 9-15), winning the second and third but losing the first, fourth and crucial fifth.

“It was definitely a loss that hurt because we know that we have the physical ability to be such a good team... we just need really to believe in ourselves and build that confidence,” said setter Anne Heggli.

The first set came down to a tense battle for the final two goals, but the Gators were unable to clinch the victory.

The second set began with the Otters and Gators trading the lead twice but the purple and gold players soon took the victory.

SF State clinched the third set after another battle with a 9-4 run that concluded the victory.

The Gators fell way behind in the fourth set and could never manage to come back. The fifth ended with another win for Monterey but the Gators made them fight hard for it, seizing an early lead that they couldn’t hold on to.

“We did play hard. We had good streaks and we had our streaks that just got us down,” said middle hitter Sloane Williams about the night’s performance.

Head coach Michelle Patton said of Wednesday’s match up, “I just believe that Monterey Bay came out believing and determined to do what they needed to win tonight’s match. They stayed focused and they made adjustments well and we didn’t... It’s about coming out and bringing a consistent game and understanding what it is we need to do on our side of the court to win the game.”

This loss brings the team to an 11-11 record for the season overall and 4-9 in the CCAA.

Though the loss was unexpected, the experience helps the Gators prepare for their upcoming game against number four ranked UC San Diego.

“We’re going to play a very good San Diego team and we just have to work on our preparation and our mentality going into matches. [We have to] understand that each match is going to be a challenge in that everyone’s too good in this conference; no one’s going to just hand you anything,” Patton said.

“We need to go in their believing we can beat them no matter what the rank in the standings,” said outside hitter Laura Deely.

Though the team lost, outside hitter/defensive specialist Kelly Burke had an outstanding game, scoring a season-best 16 kills.

Also seen at Wednesday night’s game was a contingent of the SF State wrestling team wearing their spandex sinlgets, dancing, and cheering on the Gator women.

The wrestlers said they were there to support the other SF State teams, have not missed a home game all season, and were hoping to attract spectators to their first home match to be held on Nov. 7.