Sept. 2, 2017
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The San Diego State volleyball team wrapped up play at the Spartan Invitational Saturday, falling to Marshall in three sets (18-25, 23-25, 28-30) at Jenison Fieldhouse on the campus of Michigan State University.
With the loss, the Aztecs finished 1-2 at the tournament, slipping to 2-4 overall, while the Thundering Herd move to 2-5 on the season.
Ashlynn Dunbar (12) and Deja Harris (11) combined for 23 of SDSU's 44 kills, while Alexandra Psoma finished with eight put-aways to go with seven digs and three block assists. In addition, the Aztecs received 22 assists from Gabi Peoples, while Indigo Thompson contributed 17 helpers of her own.
However, the Scarlet and Black was outhit .358-.229 for the match and trailed in total blocks (10.0-4.0) for the sixth straight outing.
The Aztecs were also unable to withstand the three-pronged attack of Marshall's Jac'cara Walker (18), Taylor Pelton (13) and Madison Hill (11), who posted 42 of the team's 49 kills.
After SDSU dropped the opening set, the two teams combined for 21 ties and 10 lead changes over the final two frames.
The Aztecs trailed 21-16 in set number two, but managed to trim the deficit to one on three occasions, including a 24-23 spread following a Harris kill. However, SDSU could not extend the stanza, as an attack error gave the Herd a commanding 2-0 advantage.
The Scarlet and Black found itself on the wrong side of a 14-6 score in the third set, before unleashing a 15-6 flurry of its own to nudge in front 21-20. Harris and Hannah Turnlund sparked the run with two kills apiece, while Thompson added a service ace.
The Aztecs reached set point three different times shortly thereafter, including a 28-27 margin following a Baylee Little kill. However, SDSU was stymied once again, as Marshall reeled off three straight points, capped by a Pelton blast, to escape with the victory.
San Diego State returns home next weekend to host the JLABS Challenge, Sept. 8-9, at Aztec Court. SDSU opens the tournament on Friday against Loyola Marymount, starting at 7 p.m. The Aztecs will also face Long Beach State (11 a.m.) and Pacific (7 p.m.) to conclude the event on Saturday.