Sept. 23, 2011
LAS VEGAS - The San Diego State volleyball team got it 2011 Mountain West season off to a rocky start as it dropped a three-set decision (25-20, 25-19, 25-22) at UNLV Friday evening. The loss dropped the Aztecs to 6-4 (0-1 MW) on the season while the Rebels improved to 8-6 (1-0 MW).
Senior outside hitter Paije Pearson was the lone Aztec to reach double figures in kills as she ended the evening with 12 along with eight digs and a pair of assists. Raegan Shelton and Chaiymin Steel contributed eight kills apiece with libero Kristi Jackels leading all players with 15 digs.
SDSU struggled to get into an offensive rhythm as it hit just .180 over the three sets. UNLV, meanwhile, finished with a .327 team attack percentage led by Sekola Falemaka and Daryn Glenn with 13 and 10 kills respectively.
All three sets of the match were similar in build-up and outcome. In the opener, the teams were even at 19-19 before kills by Glenn, Falemaka and Stephanie Thelen plus an Aztec error sent the home side on the way to a five-point win.
Set two had a similar feel as the Rebels and Aztecs again found the score knotted at 19-19. From there UNLV scored six straight points to capture the contest and take a 2-0 lead in the match. Two kills, three SDSU errors and a service ace accounted for the six Rebel points.
The third set again saw the teams tied late, this time at 18-18 before a pair of kills by Falemaka gave UNLV the lead for good. San Diego State was able to get within a point at 22-21, but the Rebels used an Aztec error and two kills to score the final three points and claim the match victory.
SDSU now moves on to Riverside where it will face a non-conference contest against the UC Riverside Highlanders on Sunday, Sept. 25, at 3:00 p.m.