Sept. 10, 2000
San Diego - San Diego State concluded play at the Nike Conference Challenge at Portland State Saturday evening, dropping a hard-fought 3-0 decision to the University of Idaho. The loss dropped the Aztecs to 2-6 on the young season while the Vandals improved to 6-1.
SDSU lost game one by a score of 17-15, then were defeated 15-10 and 15-9 as Idaho finished the tournament with a perfect 4-0 mark and captured the event championship.
Freshman outside hitter Zlatina Anguelova was the lone Aztec in double figures in kills with 12. Setter Melissa Wright finished the game with a .636 hitting percentage along with 37 assists. In addition, senior Erin Grady turned in a team season-high 15 block assists, but SDSU was unable to overcome a veteran Idaho squad.
Sophomore outside hitter Nicole Akporiayeearned all-tournament honors after hitting .337 over the four weekend matches. She led all Aztecs with a total 40 kills, one ahead of teammate Anguelova who had 39.
San Diego State continues tournament action away from home next weekend when it travels to Ithaca, N.Y., for the Cornell Invitational featuring Kent State and Northeastern in addition to host Cornell.