Nov. 19, 2016
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - In its only contest against New Mexico during the 2016 season, San Diego State came up on the short end of a three-set match as it fell in Albuquerque Saturday afternoon by set scores of 25-18, 25-19, 25-23.
The loss ended a short two-match win streak for the Aztecs, whose overall record fell to 16-15 as their Mountain West ledger dropped to 8-9. New Mexico, meanwhile, improved to 16-15 overall and 6-11 in conference play.
Outside hitter Alexandra Psoma was the lone SDSU player to finish in double figures in kills as she ended the day with 10. She also recorded a block, a dig and a service ace.
Alexis Cage finished with nine kills and Deja Harris eight over the three sets. Cage added three blocks and three digs to her final stat line while Harris had a pair of blocks and an assist. The twosome hit .333 and .375 for the match respectively.
Libero Devyn Pritchard and defensive specialist had nine digs apiece while setter Lauren Utchen had 30 assists along with seven digs, two blocks and a service ace.
The opening set was close early with New Mexico leading 6-5. At that point the Lobos ran off seven straight points to go up 13-6 and essentially take control of the contest. UNM built its advantage to as many as nine points at 20-11 before securing a seven-point victory. Emma Fuzie's three kills were the most by an Aztec in the set.
The second set saw eight tied scores and five lead changes before the home side went ahead for good at 16-15. SDSU was still within a point at 18-17, but the Lobos slowly pulled away to capture the set by six points. Harris led the Aztecs with five kills and a .833 hitting percentage in the set.
In the third set, UNM scored the opening two points and led the reminder of the contest. The Lobos built a quick six-point lead at 8-2 and the Aztecs still trailed by five at 19-14 late in the set. Down by three at 24-21, SDSU got kills from Psoma and Cage to get back to within a point at 24-23, but a Lobo kill on the next play ended the set and match in favor of New Mexico. Psoma had six kills for SDSU while Cage contributed four in the close loss.
San Diego State will now move on to Reno where it will face Nevada in its final match of the 2016 season on Monday, Nov. 21, at 6:00 p.m. at the Wolf Pack's Virginia Street Gym.