Box Score

SEASIDE, Calif. – Sophomore Kelly Ostello tied a career-high with 12 kills as the San Francisco State women's volleyball team defeated Maryville University in three sets (25-16, 25-19, 25-15) Friday afternoon in their 2012 season opener at the Otter Classic on the campus of Cal State Monterey Bay.
 
The Gators (1-0) also received eight put-aways from senior Megan Johnson, while freshmen Jaclyn Clark and Meagan Wright finished with six apiece to round out a balanced attack.  Senior Iris Tolenada directed the offense, handing out 33 assists, while redshirt freshman Jessica Nicerio added a match-best 13 digs in her first collegiate action.
 
As a team, SF State hit at .356 clip for the match and limited the Saints (0-1) to just 14 kills and a .072 hitting  percentage over the final two frames.  The Gators also owned a 44-25 advantage in digs to go along with six service aces.
 
The Gators broke open the first set with a 12-5 run, building a 16-7 bulge after an Ostello kill and a Tolenada ace.  Maryville would not draw any closer than six points for the remainder off the frame as Ostello and Tolenada once again tallied a put-away and an ace, respectively, to account for the final two points of the frame.
 
SF State found itself on the wrong side of a 12-10 score in the second stanza following a Julia Greaves kill, a Hannah Seitter ace and a solo block by Demi Manicai.  However, the Purple and Gold righted the ship with an 11-5 spurt as a Wright put-away and a Saints blocking error provided the Gators with a 21-17 lead they would not relinquish.
 
Fueled by Johnson's four kills and another two by sophomore Melissa Horton, SF State raced a commanding 19-9 advantage in the final set before emptying its bench. 
 
Maryville was led by Mikaela Lahm's five kills, while Megan Baumgartner handed out 12 assists in the loss.
 
The Gators will wrap up their brief appearance at the Otter Classic later today when they battle Alaska Anchorage starting at 4 p.m.