Sept. 7, 2014
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State completed play at the SDSU-USD 2014 Challenge with a perfect 3-0 mark after a four-set (21-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-19) victory over Cal State Fullerton Sunday afternoon on Aztec Court. With the victory the Aztecs evened their season record at 3-3 while the Titans fell to 4-3.
Junior outside hitter Kaja Sandberg turned in a career-highs of 15 kills and a .519 hitting percentage to lead the SDSU offense while also registering four blocks on the afternoon. Teammate Halle Aiken also established a career best with 14 kills and chipped in with three blocks and four digs.
Senior setter Chloe Mathis came up just short in her bid for a fifth consecutive double-double, but her 50 assists in the match established her personal career best. In addition, freshman middle blocker Jensen Cunningham had a pair of season bests with 11 kills and seven total blocks.
In the opening set San Diego State found itself facing a quick 8-2 deficit and was unable to overtake Fullerton the rest of the way. The Aztecs did close to within two at 22-20, but the Titans scored three of the next four points to secure the win. CSUF's Holland Crenshaw led all players with five kills while Baylee Little had three for the Aztecs.
Set number two saw the teams separated by no more than two points for most of the contest before SDSU took the lead for good at 19-18. A pair of kills by Sandberg, one each by Cunningham and Aiken plus a pair of Titan errors allowed the Aztecs to see out the set. SDSU hit .438 for the game led by six kills by Aiken, but Fullerton was aided by seven Aztec service errors.
The third set was another close contest as another team was able to take more than a two-point lead until San Diego State went up 20-17. CSUF fought back, however, to knot the score at 22-2 before SDSU went up by two on back-to-back kills by Sandberg. A Titan kill made it a one-point contest before Sandberg finished off the set with another kill as she totaled with five.
The Aztecs broke out early in the fourth set as an 8-8 tie quickly became a 14-8 lead in their favor. The six-point run was keyed by three consecutive kills by Aiken and was aided by a service ace from Danielle Bolden and a pair of Fullerton miscues. From there SDSU retained control of the set although the visitors did pull to within three late at 21-18. But the Aztecs scored four of the set's final five points to secure the match victory. Aiken finished the set with six kills with Little contributing four.
Up next for San Diego State is the annual Alumni Game which will take place next Saturday, Sept. 13, at 6:00 p.m. on Aztec Court. SDSU will return to intercollegiate action Tuesday, Sept. 16, when it hosts 15th-ranked University of San Diego at 6:00 p.m.