SAN DIEGO – In its lone tune-up before the 2021 regular season, the San Diego State volleyball team squared off against UC Irvine on Saturday, dropping three of five sets (18-25, 27-25, 14-25, 25-17, 8-15) to the Anteaters in an exhibition match on Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.
Heipua Tautua'a joined forces with newcomers Zoi Faki and Jordyn Goldsmith to lead a balanced SDSU attack with nine kills apiece, while Victoria O'Sullivan launched seven put-aways to go with three service aces.
In addition, the Aztec cause was aided by Natalie Smith, another new arrival who led all players with 20 digs, while Ashley Vanderpan recorded a double-double with 21 assists and 11 digs.
Faki also flashed her mettle at the net with three blocks, including a pair of solo stops, while Sara Mukaj (4 kills, 3 service aces) contributed three block assists of her own. Not to be outdone, SDSU received a versatile effort from Kennedy Feuerborn, who finished with four kills, 15 assists and two block assists.
However, the Anteaters countered with the trio of Joy Umeh, Onye Ofoegbu and Marianna Bertolone, who accounted for 46 of the team's 62 kills. Umeh collected a match-high 18 kills, followed by Ofoegbu, who hit .483 with 17 put-aways, while Bertelone notched a double-double with 11 non-returnables and 15 digs. Ofoegbu was also a force at the net with nine block assists, while Sophie Wood added six blocks overall, including a solo stuff. In addition, Kelly Negron (27 assists) and Caitlin Kikta (21 assists) split the setting duties for UCI.
Collectively, the Aztecs found themselves on the wrong side of the stat sheet in several categories, including kills (62-47), digs (60-48) and team blocks (10.0-8.0). In addition, the Anteaters out-hit the Scarlet and Black .271 to .177.
Trailing 8-5 in the fifth set, SDSU netted three quick points to tie the score following kills by Faki and Tautua'a sandwiched around an Anteater ball-handling error. However, UCI scored the final seven points of the frame to end the match. Ofoegbu and Grace Colburn totaled a pair of kills down the stretch, with the latter serving up an ace, while Ellen Veargason floored a shot to provide the clinching point.
The Anteaters claimed the first set after building an insurmountable 13-4 advantage. UCI totaled just 11 kills in the stanza but benefited from 10 Aztec attack errors, five of which were recorded on combined blocks by Ofoegbu and Wood. SDSU pulled to within four at 17-13 following a Tautua'a service ace; however, the Anteaters dashed the Scarlet and Black's comeback hopes with an 8-4 closing run.
The second set was the most competitive of the afternoon, as the teams combined for 19 ties and seven lead changes. The Aztecs hit .342 for the set, knocking down 15 kills against two errors on 38 attempts. SDSU trailed 24-23 but received two late kills from Tautua'a and another by Faki to escape. In addition, the Aztecs were gifted the clinching point on a bad set by UCI.
However, San Diego State was unable to generate any consistency in the third set, mustering just five kills against five errors on 24 swings. The Anteaters raced to an early 8-0 lead and did not look back. The Aztecs cut the margin to five at 13-8 following consecutive aces by O'Sullivan but could draw no closer.
Stung, SDSU responded with its best hitting percentage of the day in the fourth set, posting a .387 clip after blasting 14 kills on 31 attempts with just two errors. With the score knotted at 8-8, the Aztecs unleashed a 9-1 blitz to take control. Faki launched three kills during that stretch and Mikela Labno added another, while O'Sullivan and Mukaj combined on a block. The Aztecs never relinquished the momentum, as Goldsmith helped keep the visitors at bay with three late kills, while Mukaj floored a shot for the clincher, as the match moved to the fifth set.
San Diego State opens its regular-season slate on Friday, Aug. 27 when it travels to the Lone Star State for two matches on the first day of the Bearkat Invitational in Huntsville, Texas. The Aztecs will battle Houston Baptist and tournament host Sam Houston. The Scarlet and Black wraps up the event with another clash vs. SHSU on Saturday, 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.