Sep 7, 2013
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - San Diego State played three close sets, but came out on the short end in each as it dropped a 3-0 (28-26, 30-28, 25-22) decision to host Northern Arizona at the Fiesta Bowl Tournament in Flagstaff, Ariz., Friday evening. With the loss the Aztecs fell to 2-2 on the season while the Lumberjacks ran their record to 4-0.
Summer Nash led all players with 17 kills as she added 10 digs to complete her second double-double of the year. She was joined in double figures in kills by teammates Chaiymin Steel (14), Emily Harris (11) and Michelle Waber (10). Libero Courtney Vaccarello contributed a match-high 16 digs and also chipped in with four assists.
As a team, SDSU recorded 13 more kills than NAU (60-47), but its 27 errors compared to only nine by the Lumberjacks proved to be the difference in the match. NAU was also more effective in the blocking department with nine team blocks to just three by the Aztecs.
Each of the first two sets went to extra points with SDSU coming back to tie the score late, but unable to close out either game with a win. In the opener, the Aztecs were down 21-18 before rallying to tie the contest at 21-21. The teams alternated winning the ensuing 10 points until, with the score knotted at 26-all, the Lumberjacks got back-to-back kills from Janae Vander Ploeg to claim the 28-26 victory.
The second set saw the teams tied at 24-24. NAU won the next point to have the first chance to claim the contest, but the Aztecs responded to make it 25-25. The visitors then had three chances to win the set, but were unable to do so. The Lumberjacks then got a kill and an SDSU attack error to go up two sets-to-none in the match with the 30-28 win.
In set number three, Northern Arizona took the lead at 2-1 and maintained an advantage over the remainder of the contest with SDSU finding itself down by as many as seven points at 20-13. The Aztecs fought back to get within two at 23-21, but NAU won two of the next three points to close out the set and the match.
San Diego State continues tournament action in Flagstaff with a pair of matches on Saturday (Sept. 7). The Aztecs will face Cal State Northridge at 1:00 p.m. and the warp up their weekend play with a match vs. Idaho at 4:00 p.m.