SF State's women's volleyball squad went a perfect 4-0 during this weekend's home California Clash Tournament, upping their total record to 7-1.

The Gators started the weekend of Sept. 3-5 off hungry and ready to take a bite out of every team they encountered.

Sept. 3 was a successful beginning for the Gators, beating Hawaii Pacific 3-1 (25-20, 21-25, 28-26, 25-16). "We weren't as disciplined as we liked to be at this game," said Assistant Head Coach Chris Webb. The third set put the pressure on when the girls fell behind. "We made a switch to Lauren Walsh, who hit over a .500 kill rate, and brought in Vanessa Shaw, who changed the momentum of the game," Webb said.

Game two started on the Sept. 4 furlough day and ended in lightning speed with a quick and powerful 3-0 win against Dominican University (25-21, 25-17, 21-20).

Sensing a possible perfect 4-0 tourney sweep with only two games remaining, SF State cheerleaders filled the bench and cheered their team to victory. "We physically cheer only for basketball, but we try to come and support all the teams," said sophomore Alexandria Pinell, 18.

Freshman Jennifer Jasper was day two's star player, posting a .538 attack percentage and recording eight kills out of 13 attempts with only one error. "We've been working a ton with JJ and she responded," said Volleyball Women's Head Coach Michelle Patton.

Sept. 5 was a double massacre against Saint Martin's (25-13, 25-16, 25-13) and Chaminade (26-23, 25-11, 25-14, 25-11). Senior Beth Perkins took the lead as captain with 49 total kills for all four games.

"(Friday) we were a little off but we were feeling confident, and it showed, because today we came together pretty well," said Perkins after SF State's victory over St. Martin's. "We were definitely ready to do it again."

"Beth is learning her leadership role and what she needs to be as captain and senior," Patton said. "She obviously leads the court but I also see her talking and communicating with her players."

The Gators' solid weekend performance proves that the strategies drawn up in practice are paying off. "What we do is kind of the same, day in and day out," Patton said. "If we prepare and take care of our side of the net, then we will be fine."

Though they ended the tournament on a perfect note, the proud athletes are reminded that there is still work to be done. "The girls are excited about the great night, but at the same time they do understand the demands," Patton said. "We are going to be ready for practice this week."

Next week the Gators face Chico State at home in what marks their first CCAA conference games of the season. Game time is 7 p.m. on Sept. 11.