BOX SCORE

SEASIDE, Calif. — Facing its third consecutive nationally–ranked opponent didn't phase the young Cal State Monterey Bay volleyball team Friday night. But San Francisco State had just enough extra firepower to thwart the Otter upset bid in a 25-18, 19-25, 17-25, 25-16, 15-9 Gator win in The Kelp Bed.

That CSUMB played inspired volleyball came as little surprise as the team celebrated the second annual Gen Giammanco Night, in honor of the late area high school volleyball star who passed away in a tragic auto accident a little more than two years ago. In a pregame ceremony, Brittany Giammanco and Maria Aiello present this year's scholarship to junior outside hitter Lacee Ventura.

(CLICK HERE to read about the inaugural Gen Giammanco night on Sept. 9, 2011)

“This is the second year we've had the opportunity to present this scholarship in Gen's name,” said CSUMB Head Coach Jody Garry. “This is about the passion of one player who didn't get the opportunity. When we play with passion, it is a tribute to her legacy.”

The match featured a battle of two of the CCAA's top hitters in CSUMB's Julia Ashen and SFSU's Kelly Ostello. That sophomore duo battled to a standstill offensively with 17 kills apiece. The difference came from the supporting casts.

The Otters got solid contributions from freshman Jessica Malcolm with nine kills and the trio of Janai Johnson, Victoria Clardy and Ventura, who each added eight. But SFSU got 12 kills each from Megan Johnson and Alyssa Rusin and another 11 from Meagan Wright, and that proved to be just enough of a difference.

SFSU (14-5, 9-3 CCAA) lived up to its ranking early, hitting .371 to take the first set. Johnson and Ostello combined for a kill and an ace to break an 11-11 tie and give the Gators a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

But Ashen took over in set two. Her kill at 13-all sparked a 6-2 run that put the Otters in control and her final kill of the set sealed the 25-19 win. CSUMB then put the Gators against the ropes by racing to an 11-2 lead to open the third set en route to a 25-17 win.

The match turned on its ear in the fourth set with SFSU hitting .355 and the Otters hitting negative .030. This time, it was the Gators sprinting to an early 10-3 lead that wouldn't be challenged in the 25-16 win.

That set up the winner-take-all fifth set, when Rusin took over, putting down six kills on six swings to help the Gators complete the comeback. Two Rusin kills and a pair of Jessica Nicerio aces capped a fatal 4-1 run to close the match.

Ashen's 17 kills raised her career total to 373 and vault her from 11th place to a tie for eighth with Alicia Thomas on the CSUMB career kills list. Freshman libero Rachel Cookus served a season-high four aces, tied for second most in a five-set match in CSUMB history.

“It was a tough one to lose, but it was a lesson for our young players,” said Garry. “In the lockerroom I told the team, 'this one stings, but what is so awesome about Friday volleyball is that we get to play again tomorrow night.''

CSUMB continues its four-match homestand against nationally-ranked Sonoma State Saturday night in The Kelp Bed. First serve is at 7 p.m. The Seawolves are coming off a 25-20, 27-29, 25-18, 25-22 win at Cal State East Bay Friday night.