Aug. 27, 2016
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - San Diego State dropped close matches to Michigan State and Denver on Saturday as it concluded play at the season-opening 2016 Aztec Invitational. In the morning, the Aztecs fell to the Spartans in four sets (22-25, 20-25, 26-24, 21-25) and later that evening extended Denver to five sets (17-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-22, 8-15) before coming up on the short end of a tight contest.
In the match against the Pioneers (2-1, San Diego State (1-2) was led by middle blocker Emma Fuzie and outside hitter Alexandra Psoma with 12 kills apiece. Fuzie added four blocks, two service aces and two digs to her final stat line while Psoma notched two blocks and a pair of digs.
Fuzie was named to the Aztec Invitational all-tournament team after averaging 2.17 kills per set with a .412 hitting percentage and 0.83 blocks per set along with 0.42 digs and 0.33 service aces per set over the Aztecs' three matches.
Against Denver, setter Indigo Thompson recorded her second double-double in a many matches with 27 assists and 11 digs while libero Alexa Saba led all players with 16 digs over the five sets.
The opening set vs. the Pioneers saw the teams tied at 10-10 before the Denver scored three straight points and did not allow the Aztecs to get closer than two after that as they slowly expanded their advantage to win by eight. Four SDSU players finished with two kills apiece as the team tallied only nine in the set.
In set number two, Denver led most of the way before San Diego State knotted the score at 19-19. After the teams traded four points (21-21), the Aztecs closed out the contest with four straight points on setting and attack errors by the Pioneers along with kills from Psoma and Fuzie.
The third set was similar to the second only this time Denver held the lead from the start to finish. The Aztecs almost rallied, however, as they closed to within 24-23 before a Pioneer kill gave them the set and a two to one advantage in the match. Ashlynn Dunbar led SDSU with three kills as both side struggled offensively. The Aztecs finished with nine kills and a .111 hitting percentage while Denver recorded just 10 kills and a .115 attack mark.
In the fourth set it was SDSU that held the lead most of the way until Denver caught up at 20-20. From there the teams traded two points before the Aztecs ran off three straight to go up 24-21. After a Pioneer point, SDSU won the set on a kill by Psoma, who led all plyers in the set with five kills while teammate Ashlynn Dunbar contributed four.
The fifth and deciding set belonged to Denver as it took a 9-3 lead and cruised to a seven-point set win along with the match victory. The visitors hit .467 in the set while SDU managed just a .154 attack percentage.
In SDSU's opening match of the day, the Aztecs dropped the four set decision to Michigan State (3-0), the eventual tourney champion.
Hannah Turnlund and Alexis Cage led San Diego State with 11 and kills respectively while the setter duo of Hailey Jones (22 assists, 13 digs) and Indigo Thompson (18 assists, 12 digs) recorded the team's first double-doubles of the young season.
The Spartans jumped out to a quick 6-1 advantage in the opening set before San Diego State tied the contest at 9-9. The set was even at 20-20 before the visitors reeled of five of the ensuing seven points to go up 1-0 in the match.
Set two saw the Spartans lead from start to finish although the Aztecs closed to within two at 21-19 before MSU rallied for the five-point set win.
The third set was the closest of the match and featured eight lead changes and 18 tied scores. SDSU had a chance to win it at 24-23, but was unable to convert. An ensuing Spartan serving error, however, plus a kill by freshman Hannah Turnlund ended the contest in the Aztecs' favor.
Set number four was an even affair early as the teams battled to a 7-7 stalemate. From there, Michigan State ran off four straight points and led the rest of the way. SDSU did climb back to within two points at 21-19, but was unable to complete its comeback as it fell three sets to one in the match.
After a mid-week scrimmage against the University of British Columbia, San Diego State will travel to Eugen, Ore., for the Oregon Classic featuring UC Davis and Murray State in addition to the host Ducks. The Aztecs will open the tourney with a contest against UC Davis on Friday, Sept 2, at 1:00 p.m. before facing Oregon that evening at 7:00 p.m.