Monterey Times

California State University, Monterey Bay Athletics issued the following announcement on Oct. 14.

SFSU rallies to take a 4–set decision in first Otter home game since 2019

Cal State Monterey Bay got off to a fast start in its long-awaited home opener, but San Francisco State came back to spoil the party by taking a 24–26, 25–18, 25–14, 25–21 decision Thursday night in The Kelp Bed.

CSUMB originally was scheduled to play is home opener back in September — like every other team in the country — but COVID protocols forced  cancelation of the original games, making Thursday night the first time the Otters tasted home cooking since November of 2019.

The Otters never trailed after a Kaylie Honberger (Rocklin/Whitney HS) broke a 20–20 tie in the first set. San Francisco State responded by opening big early leads in sets two and three to take control of the match.

Trailing 18–9 in the fourth set, the Otters put together one final rally, pulling to within 21–18 and 23–20 before SFSU closed the match.

Junior opposite Abby Knapp (Atwater HS/Gonzaga) enjoyed another strong match for CSUMB, putting down 11 kills against just one error to lead the offense. Honberger also reached double figures with 10 kills. Libero Sam Chavez (Sacramento/St. Francis HS) led the back row defense with 12 digs.

THE MATCH WAS OVER WHEN… a Chloe Henning kills stalled the final Otter rally and brought SFSU to match point at 24–20.

HELPING HANDS… Sophia Torres made what was likely her last move up the Otter career assist list Thursday night. With 26 helpers, her career total reached 1,056, moving her past Whitney Hirst (1,047) into the No. 6 spot all time. Monique Sena holds the No. 5 spot with 1,791 assists.

CHAVEZ DIGS IT… With 12 digs Thursday versus San Francisco State, sophomore Sam Chavez moves to within a hair's breadth of the Otter career Top 25 for digs. Chavez now has 326, digs. She needs 10 more to pass Alisha Thomas for the No. 25 spot.

LEADERS OF THE RAFT… POINTS: Abby Knapp 13.0; KILLS: Abby Knapp 11; BLOCKS: Mollin Helfrich/Abby Knapp/Kea Veenendaal 3; ACES: Alexa Blunt 2; DIGS: Sam Chavez 12.

THEY'VE GOT NEXT… The Otters conclude their home–and–home series with San Francisco State by meeting the Gators in The City Saturday evening. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m.

Original source can be found here.