LOGAN, Utah – Powered by Victoria O'Sullivan's match-high 17 kills, the San Diego State volleyball team prevailed in four sets over Utah State (25-18, 29-27, 17-25, 25-20) in a Mountain West clash Thursday night at Wayne Estes Center.
The Aztecs also received a career-high 13 put-aways from Andrea Walker to win their third straight and secure their sixth winning season in the last nine years, improving to 15-13 overall and 8-9 in conference play.
Despite trailing by a substantial margin in team blocks (21.0 to 9.0), SDSU maintained the statistical advantage in kills (62-47) and digs (68-45) to capture its fifth consecutive victory against the Aggies (2-27, 2-15 MW).
In addition to her performance on offense, Walker posted a team-high six blocks assists, while Loren Teter anchored the Aztecs' back row with a match-best 19 digs.
SDSU also received nine kills from Hannah Turnlund, who just missed out on a double-double after amaasing 14 digs, while Camryn Machado handed out 53 assists to go with six digs. The Aztec cause was also aided by eight-kill performances from Erin Gillcrist and Tamia Reeves, with the latter contributing nine digs and two service aces.
Set number two was the closest of the four, as the teams combined for a whopping 19 ties and nine lead changes. SDSU blasted more kills (19-14) in the frame, but USU capitalized on 13 Aztec attack errors to remain in contention.
The Aggies reached set point at 25-24 following a kill by Bailey Downing, before SDSU responded with a 4-2 spurt to escape. Walker sparked the run with a pair of kills, while O'Sullivan added another. Moments later, the Aztecs benefited from an errant USU attack to grab a commanding 2-0 lead in sets.
The Aggies were led by Corinne Larsen and Bailey Downing, who finished with 11 kills apiece, while Kelee Call finished with eight kills and a match-high 10 block assists. Downing was also the bane of the Aztecs' existence at the net, totaling 13 blocks, including five solo stops, while Izzie Belnap racked up eight kills and six kills in a losing effort.
UP NEXT
San Diego State closes out its 2019 campaign on Saturday, Nov. 23 with another road tilt at Boise State, beginning at 2 p.m. MT/1 p.m. PT. The Broncos (17-11, 9-8 MW) swept Fresno State at home on Thursday.