Week Preview
San Diego State (1-8, 0-0 MW) vs. Oregon State (6-2, 0-0 Pac-12)
Friday, Sept. 14 | 6:00 p.m. PT | Peterson Gym | San Diego, Calif.
San Diego State (1-8, 0-0 MW) vs. UTEP (2-7, 0-0 CUSA)
Saturday, Sept. 15 | 9:00 a.m. PT | Peterson Gym | San Diego, Calif.
San Diego State (1-8, 0-0 MW) vs. Louisiana (7-4, 0-0 Sun Belt)
Saturday, Sept. 15 | 3:00 p.m. PT | Peterson Gym | San Diego, Calif.
Storylines
HOME SWEET HOME: San Diego State returns home for the first time in nearly three weeks this weekend, hosting Oregon State, UTEP, and Louisiana during the SDSU/USD Challenge. The Aztecs are 1-2 at home this season, however, SDSU is 26-13 in its last 39 matches at Peterson Gym.
DUNBAR LEADING THE WAY: Ashlynn Dunbar has been a staple of the SDSU offense this season, having led the Aztecs in kills in six of SDSU's nine matches this year. Currently, Dunbar stands fifth in the Mountain West in points per set (4.17) and third in service aces (17).
HARRIS KEEPING IT GOING: Deja Harris, SDSU's lone senior on the 2018 squad, continues to be a centerpiece for the Aztecs on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Currently, Harris stands ninth among all active players in Division I with 434 career blocks. In 2018, Harris is ninth in the MW in hitting percentage (.344) and third in blocks per set (1.41).
TOUGH ROAD SO FAR: As of last Sunday, San Diego State's eight opponents so far in 2018 currently own a 42-27 (.609) record. Six of those eight opponents currently have records of .500 or better.
A RECAP OF THE OUTRIGGERS VOLLEYBALL CHALLENGE: San Diego State faced a tough field at the Outriggers Volleyball Challenge hosted by the University of Hawai'i last weekend, dropping a trio of matches to teams that entered the weekend with a combined 14-2 record. Deja Harris was named to the all-tournament team -- good for her fourth regular-season all-tournament team selection.
Ashlynn Dunbar averaged 4.27 kills per set in the Aloha State to lead the team, while Harris' .409 hitting percentage and 1.36 blocks per set average were also team bests. Delaney Taylor and Camryn Machado split time at setter and averaged 5.55 and 4.82 assists per set, respectively, while Sam McGrath led the defensive effort with 4.09 digs per set.
HISTORY AGAINST THIS WEEKEND'S OPPONENTS: San Diego State looks to even its all-time record against Oregon State, with the Beavers holding a 4-3 advantage in the all-time series. It will be the first SDSU-OSU meeting since 2015, when Oregon State defeated the Aztecs in four sets (20-25, 25-20, 24-26, 19-25). Deja Harris, then a freshman, posted a team-high 12 kills in the setback.
SDSU looks to continue its dominance over UTEP, owning a 12-1 record against UTEP all-time. It is the first SDSU-UTEP meeting since 2008, when the Aztecs won in five sets (24-26, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23, 15-10).
This weekend's meeting between SDSU and Louisiana is the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
VB Returns Home for SDSU/USD Challenge
