Sept. 19, 2009
SALT LAKE CITY - After a close first set, Utah took control and defeated San Diego State in three sets (28-26, 25-19, 25-15) Saturday afternoon in Salt Lake City. The loss was the fourth straight for the Aztecs, who saw their record fall to 4-6 overall and 0-2 in the Mountain West Conference. The Utes, meanwhile, improved to 8-5 and have begun their league campaign with two wins and no defeats.
SDSU was led by freshman Andrea Hannasch, who ended the day with 10 kills and four blocks. Lauren Salisbury contributed eight kills and three blocks while teammate Kristi Jackels finished with 20 digs over the three sets. It was the third straight match in which the freshman libero had 20 or more digs.
Utah's Kristina Bartkowiak led all players with 12 kills and six blocks while hitting .318. Fellow Ute Sarah Hibbert chipped in with 10 kills and a .348 attack percentage.
The first set was a tight affair with the teams separated by three points or less the entire way. San Diego State looked to capture the contest as it led 26-25, but a kill and block by Bartowiak plus an Aztec hitting error enabled the Utes to escape and grab a 1-0 lead in the match.
The second set was deadlocked at 17-17 before the home side scored eight of the final 10 points for the comfortable win. Four of those Utes points involved Chelsea Sandberg who had a kill and three blocks during the run.
In set three, with the score tied 1-1, Utah ran off nine straight points and the Aztecs were unable to recover. The Utes finished the match with a .233 attack percentage while holding SDSU to a .140 mark.
San Diego State now returns home and will host Cal State Fullerton on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 7:00 p.m. (PT) in Peterson Gym.