SAN DIEGO – The San Diego State volleyball team opens its 2021 fall campaign on Saturday when it plays host to UC Irvine in an exhibition match on Aztec Court at Peterson Gym. First serve is set for noon PT, and admission to the contest is free.
Under the direction of second-year head coach Brent Hilliard, the Aztecs are coming off an abbreviated spring campaign when they finished eighth in the Mountain West with a 6-9 record, all against conference competition. Last March, SDSU posted a thrilling five-set victory at Boise State against a Bronco squad that entered the match with four consecutive 3-0 sweeps. Two weeks later, the Aztecs wrapped up their season with a convincing three-set romp over perennial MW contender Colorado State, snapping an 11-match losing streak to the Rams dating back to 2014.
Individually, San Diego State returns eight letterwinners from last year's team, including senior Victoria O'Sullivan, who garnered all-Mountain West accolades for the first time in her career after averaging 3.25 kills per set, which ranked seventh in the league. In addition, the Aztec outside hitter surpassed the double-digit kill plateau in 11 of 15 matches last spring and ranked second on the squad with 32.0 total blocks.
Along with SDSU's early signing class, which consisted of four incoming freshmen in outside hitter Mikela Labno (Hilmar, Calif.), middle blocker Sara Mukaj (Modena, Italy), setter/opposite Kalani Ruri (Kawerau, New Zealand) and defensive specialist Carsyn Schuch (Phoenix, Ariz.), the Aztecs bolstered their roster over the spring and summer with six additional newcomers, including four Division I transfers. Eager to put their stamp on the Scarlet and Black this fall are senior libero Natalie Smith (Michigan), senior outside hitter Zoi Faki (Pittsburgh), senior setter Noa Miller (Arizona State) and junior middle blocker Julia Haynie (Portland State), who join two former prep standouts in opposite Jordyn Goldsmith (Valleyford, Wash.) and outside hitter Reagan Merk (Huntington Beach, Calif.).
Collectively, San Diego State was pegged for a sixth-place finish in the Mountain West preseason coaches poll, which was announced on Aug. 18. The Aztecs received 53 votes, trailing defending conference champion UNLV (98 pts, 8 first-place votes), Boise State (90 pts, 2 first-places votes), Colorado State (80 pts, 1 first-place vote), Wyoming (69 pts) and Fresno State (61 pts), which occupied the top five positions in the poll, respectively.
SDSU has not faced UC Irvine in a regular-season match since the 2016 campaign, when it dropped a narrow 3-2 decision (25-23, 29-31, 14-25, 27-25, 12-15) at Aztec Court despite receiving double-digit kills from four players. Still, the Aztecs lead the all-time series, 17-9. The two sides also squared off in an exhibition encounter prior to the 2019 season, with the Scarlet and Black winning three of five sets. Among the returners from the match, O'Sullivan tied for the team lead with 15 kills.
UCI did not compete in women's volleyball during the 2020-21 academic year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Anteaters return eight players from their 2019 squad that finished with a 5-23 overall record and a 2-14 mark in the Big West Conference. That season, UCI posted a huge 3-2 upset of No. 11 Hawai'i on the road, which marked the Anteaters' first-ever victory over the Rainbow Wahine (1-41). The result was also Hawai'i's only home loss that year.
Heading into the 2021 fall campaign, UCI was picked sixth in the Big West preseason coaches poll. Under the guidance of seventh-year head coach Ashlie Hain, the Anteaters sport 14 freshman, seven sophomores and two juniors on their roster.
San Diego State commences its regular-season slate at the Bearkat Invitational, Aug. 27-28, in Huntsville, Texas. The Aztecs will battle Central Arkansas and host Sam Houston on the first day of the event (Aug. 27) before finishing their venture to the Lone Star State with a single match vs. Houston Baptist (Aug. 28).
SDSU's regular-season home opener is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 10 against UCLA, starting at 7 p.m. PT. Season tickets are just $40 for Aztec home volleyball matches and are now on sale at GoAztecs.com.
Fan Guidelines
Attendees at Aztec Volleyball matches in Peterson Gym will be expected to adhere to the following guidelines.
- Facial Coverings – Facial coverings are required for all fans.
- Seating - Aztec Volleyball season ticket holders will be granted access to sit in the chairback premium seating section at center court. Single game ticket purchasers may sit anywhere outside of the premium seating section.
- Hand Sanitization Stations – A hand sanitizing station will be set up at the entrance of Peterson Gym.
- Interaction with Coaches & Student-Athletes – There will be no fan interaction with coaches or student-athletes at this time. This includes family members and friends of individuals participating in competition. Teams will depart to the locker room post-game without interacting with event attendees. As a result, teams will not hold autograph sessions this season.
- Tickets – Season tickets can be purchased for $40 and grant you access to the chairback premium seating area. Single game tickets are $5 at the door (cash only) and grant you access to seating outside the premium section.
- Campus Policies – Throughout your visit to campus please be sure to follow campus guidelines at all times. Updated campus policies can be found HERE.