SAN DIEGO – For the first time all season, the San Diego State volleyball team has lost consecutive matches after falling to UNLV in four sets (21-25. 24-26, 25-20, 23-25) Thursday night in a Mountain West clash at Aztec Court.
Despite posting a greater hitting percentage (.283 to .250) and maintaining the statistical advantage in digs (52-46) and total blocks (11.0-5.0), the Aztecs could not contain the Rebels attack, logging 13 fewer kills (63-50) to drop to 8-6 on the year and 1-2 in conference play. Meanwhile, the Rebels raise their record to 5-9 overall and 1-2 in the MW as well.
The Aztecs were led by Hannah Turnlund, who launched 15 kills and hit .375 on the evening with three errors in 32 swings, while Victoria O'Sullivan chipped in 11 put-aways of her own. In addition, the Scarlet and Black received nine kills apiece from Tamia Reeves and Lexie Hamrick, while Loren Teter led all players with 16 digs.
Reeves recorded a scintillating .692 hitting percentage, committing no errors in 13 swings to go with five total blocks, including a solo stop, while Hamrick (.333) and Andrea Walker (5 kills) assisted on four blocks apiece.
It wasn't enough, however, as UNLV boasted four players with double-digit kills, including a match-high 16 from Mariena Hayden, followed by Shelby Capllonch (12), Kate Brennan (11, .526) and Thea Sweder (10).
SDSU registered a slightly higher hitting percentage in the opening set (.444 to .405), posting just one error in 27 attempts. However, the Rebels produced more kills (19-13), setting a pattern for the rest of the night. The Aztecs found themselves trailing 12-10, but UNLV seized control with five straight points, capped by a Brennan kill and a wayward SDSU attack.
Stung, the Aztecs tried to rally, fashioning a 9-4 run to creep within 21-19. Turnlund knocked down three kills during that span, while Walker added another after joining forces with Erin Gillcrist on a block. However, SDSU was unable to draw closer, as the Rebels received a Hayden service ace along with put-aways by Macy Smith and Sweder to close out the frame.
The two sides combined for 11 ties and three lead changes in the second stanza, where the Aztecs built a pair of four-point advantages, including a 15-11 spread following a Rebel service error. However, SDSU was unable to build on its good fortune, as UNLV utilized a 6-1 outburst to jump in front 17-16 following a Hayden kill. The Aztecs responded with a 6-2 surge of their own, benefiting from a service mishap and an errant attack, while O'Sullivan powered down two kills.
Once again, SDSU could not find its finishing kick, as the Rebels caught lightning in bottle with an 8-2 blitz to steal the set. Capllonch sparked the run with three kills, while Brennan added two more to help give the visitors a commanding 2-0 lead on the set scoreboard.
The Aztecs came back with resolve in the third set, racing to a 9-1 lead thanks in part to Reeves and Hamrick, who combined on two blocks, while O'Sullivan added another on a solo stop. Later, Sam McGrath added back-to-back service aces to give the hosts a seemingly safe 18-9 advantage. UNLV made things interesting down the stretch, cutting the deficit to 23-20 on the strength of an 11-5 run. Following a timeout, SDSU regrouped with a Reeves kill, while the Rebels shot themselves in the foot with an attack error to keep the Aztecs' comeback hopes alive.
The teams witnessed eight more ties in the fourth frame, but SDSU was never able to grab the upper hand. As the set unfolded, the Aztecs found themselves facing a series of two-point deficits, including a 23-21 spread following a Sweder kill. Moments later, the Scarlet and Black knotted the score once again, thanks an errant UNLV attack and a combined block by Reeves and O'Sullivan.
The Aztecs could not extend the match, however, as the Rebels received a Capllonch kill and a solo block from Erin Davis to clinch the set and the victory.
UP NEXT
San Diego State wraps up its homestand on Saturday, Oct. 5, when it plays host to New Mexico, starting at 2 p.m. PT. The first 250 fans in attendance will receive a free pink Aztec T-shirt in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Volleyball Drops Four-Set Decision to UNLV
