SAN DIEGO – Just hours after setting her career-high with 20 kills against UTEP, Deja Harris shattered that previous mark with 26 kills in San Diego State volleyball's five-set (20-25, 25-21, 22-25, 25-22, 7-15) loss to Louisiana at Peterson Gym on Saturday afternoon.
Much like San Diego State's match against UTEP this morning, the Aztecs owned several statistical advantages despite suffering a loss. SDSU posted a higher kill total (71-61), assist total (65-58), dig total (60-55), and point total (80-75).
Harris started her banner day at a fast pace, logging five kills on 10 swings in the first set. With the Ragin' Cajuns owning a narrow 9-8 lead, Louisiana distanced itself using a 6-2 run to take a 15-10 lead. SDSU was unable to get within a three-point margin for the rest of the set before dropping the match-opener, 25-20.
Harris' highest offensive output came in the second set, logging eight kills – the most kills by an Aztec in a single set this season – on just 12 attempts. The Aztec defense, led by Sam McGrath's four digs, helped limit Louisiana to a .118 hitting percentage in the second set after Louisiana started the match with a .357 mark in the first set. SDSU was quick to take a commanding lead it never let up, jumping out to a 9-3 advantage to open the set before ultimately winning, 25-21.
The Ragin' Cajuns took an important 2-1 lead with a 25-22 win in the third set, despite Harris' best offensive efforts, posting a near-perfect offensive effort with six kills on seven attempts with no errors. Both teams logged an even .250 hitting percentage for the set, but with the match tied at 19-19, the Aztecs recorded three errors in the set's final moments to fall, 25-22.
The Aztecs forced the fifth in commanding fashion, however, logging a season-best .576 hitting percentage in the fourth set. Hannah Turnlund and Harris each posted five kills in the set, while Erin Gillcrist led the Aztecs with six kills on just nine attempts. SDSU's .576 hitting percentage in the fourth set was its best of any single set this season.
SDSU's red-hot offensive tendencies failed to carry over in the fifth set, as Louisiana outhit SDSU, .438 - .095 to claim the match with a 15-7 win.
In addition to Harris' record-setting night, Turnlund tied her career-high with 19 kills, while Gillcrist shattered her career-best with 15 kills. Gillcrist's .414 hitting percentage was good for second best in the match, only trailing Harris' mark of .500, while Delaney Taylor posted 53 assists. Defensively, the Aztecs were led by Loren Teter (11 digs), Lauren Lee (10 digs) and Sam McGrath (10 digs).
NOTES
- Deja Harris' 26 kills were the most by an Aztec since Lauren Salisbury posted 28 against UTEP on September 13, 2008.
- Both Harris and Hannah Turnlund were named to the 2018 SDSU/USD Challenge All-Tournament team. For the weekend, Harris recorded 4.07 kills per set while recording a .412 hitting percentage with a 1.29 blocks per set average. Turnlund finished second on the team with 3.07 kills per set.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Most Valuable Player: Amy Underdown, Oregon State
All-Tournament Team
Hanna Rovira, Louisiana
Hali Wisnoskie, Louisiana
Amy Underdown, Oregon State
Maddy Gravley, Oregon State
Roxie Wiblin, San Diego
Lauren Fuller, San Diego
Deja Harris, San Diego State
Hannah Turnlund, San Diego State
Khalia Lanier, USC
Raquel Lazaro, USC
Macey Austin, UTEP
Kristen Fritsche, UTEP
UP NEXT
San Diego State begins Mountain West action on Friday, hosting Fresno State at 6:00 p.m. before making a quick trip to Air Force for a Sunday match at 1:00 p.m.
-SDSU-
VB Concludes Weekend With Five-Set Loss to Louisiana
