Aztecs Prep for Three Matches at Wildcat Classic

SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego State volleyball team closes out the non-conference portion of its 2021 fall schedule this weekend when it travels to Tucson, Arizona, for the Wildcat Classic inside McKale Center on the University of Arizona campus.

The Aztecs open the tournament on Friday, Sept. 17, battling Texas Southern at 12:30 p.m. PT before locking horns with host Arizona at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, Sept 18, SDSU wraps up its desert excursion with a matinee match against UC Riverside, starting at 11 a.m. 

Live stats and streaming video will be available throughout the weekend, with links available on GoAztecs.com.

SDSU will be looking to put the brakes on a five-match losing streak after falling to Long Beach State in three sets on Sept. 14 to open its lengthy road swing.  The Aztecs were scheduled to play just two home contests between Aug. 27 and Sept. 25, a span of 14 matches.

Friday's clash vs. Arizona will mark Brent Hilliard's 600th match coaching at the Division I collegiate level.

SERIES RECORDS
> Not only does Friday's tournament opener vs. Texas Southern mark the first meeting between the two schools, it also represents San Diego State's first match against a Southwestern Athletic Conference school.
> The Aztecs have faced two other first-time opponents this season, suffering a 3-0 setback to Houston Baptist in their season opener at the Bearkat Invitational in Huntsville, Texas, on Aug. 27, before falling in four sets to Kansas State at the Gaucho Invitational in Santa Barbara on Sept. 4.
> Despite dropping three straight matches in the series, SDSU still owns a 20-10 all-time record against Arizona dating back to 1978.  The Aztecs are 7-3 against the Wildcats in Tucson, including a three-set defeat (22-25, 19-25, 17-25) at the 2018 Cactus Classic in their last trip to the desert. 
> San Diego State last played Arizona in 2019 at home but experienced another 3-0 blanking (10-25, 22-25, 19-25) in the final match of the SDSU/USD Invitational. After winning a pair of grueling five-set matches in a span of 15 hours to open the tournament, the Aztecs ran out of steam against the Wildcats, as Arizona out-hit the Scarlet and Black .437 to .185 while maintaining the statistical advantage in kills (46-37), digs (30-23) and total blocks (5.0 to 2.0). Individually Victoria O'Sullivan is the lone SDSU returner from that match when she led the team with 10 kills.
> The Aztecs' last victory over Arizona occurred on the road at the Wildcat Classic in 2003, as the Scarlet and Black registered a 3-1 triumph (31-33, 30-24, 30-23, 30-27) during the 30-point scoring era.
> SDSU has maintained a 13-2 record vs. UC Riverside, including a 3-1 victory (25-13, 25-20, 19-25, 25-19) in the opener of the 2019 Grand Canyon Invitational in Phoenix. O'Sullivan blasted 13 kills and hit .313 against the Highlanders, while Andrea Walker in the Aztecs' other veteran from that match, finishing with four kills and a pair of block assists. As a team, SDSU outhit UCR .328 to .192 and maintained the upper hand in most categories, including kills (53-46), assists (51-44), digs (53-44) and total blocks (5.0-3.0).
> The Aztecs and Highlanders have met at a neutral site on three additional occasions, with SDSU emerging victorious at the UCLA Invitational in 1976 and the Titan Invitational at Cal State Fullerton in 1985, before experiencing a tough five-set defeat the Denver Invitational in 2017.
> The Aztecs are 165- 110 in program history against current members of the Big West after splitting two matches earlier this year  with a 3-0 conquest at UC Santa Barbara on Sept. 3, followed by a three-set defeat at Long Beach State on Sept. 14.

THE LAST TIME OUT
> San Diego State opened its six-match road swing on a sour note with a hard-fought loss in three sets (23-25, 19-25, 23-25) at Long Beach State on Sept. 14.
> Despite maintaining the statistical edge in team blocks (8.0 to 5.0), the Aztecs (1-8) suffered their fifth straight defeat after mustering just 29 kills for the night. SDSU was unable to capitalize on 13 errant serves by the Beach, committing 14 attack errors on 95 attempts for a .158 hitting percentage.
> Conversely, LBSU (5-5) knocked down 50 kills with a .309 efficiency while owning a 44-39 advantage in digs to help snap a three-match losing streak to the Aztecs.
> SDSU was paced by Zoi Faki's eight kills, while Heipua Tautua'a and Reagan Merk launched five put-aways apiece. 
> In addition, Natalie Smith led all players with 14 digs, while Jordyn Goldsmith made her first collegiate start a memorable one with a match-high four blocks, including a solo stop.  
> The Aztec cause was also aided by Noa Miller (10 assists) and Kennedy Feuerborn (3 kills, 7 assists), who split the setting duties, while Mikela Labno served up two aces. Like Goldsmith, Labno also earned her first start in an SDSU uniform vs. the Beach.

SDSU IN MW RANKINGS
> As of Sept. 15, libero Natalie Smith ranks fourth in the Mountain West with an average of 4.28 digs per set (137 overall).
> In addition, outside hitter Victoria O'Sullivan occupies the sixth position with 3.31 kills per set, while setter Noa Miller finds herself in the eighth spot with 5.76 assists per frame.
> Smith's 27 digs vs. Houston Baptist on Aug. 27 is tied for the third-best performance in the conference this season.
> Meanwhile, Victoria O'Sullivan's 19 kills vs. San Diego on Sept. 11 are the tied for the third-best effort in the league this year, while her 15 put-aways at UC Santa Barbara on Sept. 3 are tied for the third-highest in a three-set match.
> Elsewhere, Sara Mukaj's four service aces at Sam Houston on Aug. 27 is tied for the fifth-best total in the MW thus far.
> Not to be outdone, the Aztecs own two of the top individual hitting percentages with a minimum of 12 kills in the Mountain West this season. Mikela Labno's .522 clip against (13-1-23) against Pepperdine at the Gaucho Invitational ranks fourth as of Sept. 9, while O'Sullivan's .519 efficiency (15-1-27) at UC Santa Barbara in the same tournament is fifth.
> Collectively, the Aztecs occupy the fourth spot in the conference with an average of 13.28 digs per set while ranking seventh in team kills (11.91/set) and assists (11.03/set).

NEWCOMERS SHINE
> The Aztecs boast 10 newcomers on their 2021 fall roster, with several providing key contributions during the first three-and-a-half weeks of play.
> Senior outside hitter Zoi Faki ranks second on the team with an average of 2.50 kills (80 overall) and  2.25 digs per set (72 overall) while tying for the fourth spot with fourth service aces. Against Sam Houston on Aug. 28, the Pitt transfer logged her first double-double in an Aztec uniform with 14 kills and 12 digs.
> Fellow classmate Natalie Smith, who received all-tournament recognition at the Bearkat Invitational, ranks fourth in the Mountain West with an average of 4.28 digs per set. In the season opener vs. Houston Baptist, the Michigan transfer posted 27 digs, which is tied for the third-best total in the conference so far this year.  
> Freshman Mikela Labno saw her first extended action of the season at the Gaucho Invitational, averaging 2.64 kills in all 11 sets while hitting at a .292 clip. The Aztec outside hitter knocked down a career-high 13 kills against Pepperdine, hitting .522 for the match, which ranks as the fourth-best individual efficiency in the Mountain West thus far.  For the season, Labno is tied for third on the squad with 2.09 kills per set. She earned her first career start at Long Beach State on Sept. 14.
> Arizona State transfer Noa Miller made her San Diego State debut at the Gaucho Invitational and has started the last six matches, averaging 5.76 assists, which ranks eighth in the Mountain West, to go with 1.62 digs per frame. In her first start for the Aztecs vs. UCSB, Miller dished out 22 assists and scooped up seven digs, helping the Scarlet and Black to its first victory of the season. She also added 25 helpers and another seven digs the following day against Kansas State. Against No. 25 USD on Sept. 11, Miller racked up her first double-double as an Aztec and 12th of her career after posting a season-high 28 assists and 11 digs.
> Freshman Sara Mukaj has started seven of eight matches and leads the Scarlet and Black with 22 total blocks. In the first match vs. Sam Houston at the Bearkat Invite on Aug. 27, the Aztec middle blocker served up four aces, which is tied for the fourth-best effort in the MW this year. In the rematch against the Bearkats, Mukaj returned the following day and led the Aztecs with a .636 hitting percentage, launching seven kills on 11 swings without an error to go with five digs and four block assists. 
>  Another freshman Jordyn Goldsmith received her first starting assignment at Long Beach State after coming off the bench in five previous appearances. She ranks sixth on the squad with 1.44 kills per set (23 overall). Against LBSU the San Diego State opposite hitter led all players with a career-high four blocks, including a solo stop. Against Pepperdine at the Gaucho Invitational on Sept. 4, Goldsmith recorded a season-best .385 hitting percentage, blasting seven kills on 13 swings with just two errors. At the Bearkat Invite the previous week, Goldsmith also launched seven put-aways to go with a season-best three digs in the weekend finale vs. Sam Houston..
> Former Portland State middle blocker Julia Haynie has started all eight matches she has played and ranks third on the squad with 17 total blocks while adding 25 kills.  The Aztec junior posted a season-high four block assists against Pepperdine at the Gaucho Invitational. Haynie also knocked down six kills and hit .444 in her Scarlet and Black debut vs. Houston Baptist on Aug. 27. She has multiple block assists in five of eight outings this year.
> Freshman outside hitter Reagan Merk saw her first extended action this season at Long Beach State, finishing with a career-high five kills while committing just one error on seven attempts for a sparkling .714 hitting percentage. She also served up aces on her first two collegiate serves in the second set vs. Sam Houston on Aug. 27.

SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
> Texas Southern is off to a 1-8 start this season, notching its lone victory with a 3-1 decision (20-25, 25-19, 25-17, 25-9) over Southern University at the Colonels Invitational in Thibodeaux, Louisiana, on Aug. 27. TSU has faced one other Mountain West opponent this year, falling in three sets to New Mexico at Abilene Christian's Wildcat Classic on Sept. 4 in Abilene, Texas. The Tigers were scheduled to play at Houston Baptist on Sept. 14; however, the match was postponed due to the landfall of Tropical Storm Nicholas. Individually, the TSU attack is led by the duo of outside hitters Thalia Cordero Moreno (2.62 kills/sets) and Danielle Lilley (2.32 kills/set), who enter the tournament ranked third and sixth in the SWAC, respectively. In addition, Kaitlyn Scroggins anchors the Tigers' back row with 3.48 digs per set, which ranks eighth in the league, while Amber Johnson occupies the 10th spot with a .204 hitting percentage. Aeris Ramsey (4.63 assists/set) and Dallas Balanay-Flores (4.18 assists/set) split the setting responsibilities for TSU, while Indyah Rideaux tops the squad with 19 blocks. As a team, the Tigers rank third in the league with 39 service aces (1.30/set), including eight by Lilley, while occupying the fourth spot in kills (9.90/set). In addition, TSU finds itself in the fifth spot in digs (14.53/set), assists (9.13/set) and hitting percentage (.115). Head coach Gabrielle Floyd is in her second season in charge of the volleyball program at her alma mater, having played collegiately at Texas Southern from 1998-2001. As a senior, Floyd helped the Tigers to a conference divisional championship, earning second-team all-SWAC honors to go with postseason all-tournament recognition. Floyd holds two degrees from TSU and teaches full-time in the University's Department of Health, Kinesiology and Sport Studies.

> Arizona slipped to 5-3 on the year after falling short in consecutive matches against Texas and Notre Dame, Sept. 10-11, in Austin, Texas. The Wildcats were upended by the Longhorns, 3-1, before dropping a five-set heart-breaker to the Fighting Irish the following day. With the score knotted at 6-6 in the fifth and deciding frame, Notre Dame closed with a 9-4 spurt to escape with the win. Individually, outside hitter Jaelyn Hodge leads the Arizona offense with an average of 3.82 kills per set, which ranks ninth in the Pac-12 entering the weekend, while her collective total of 126 put-aways is good for third in the conference. In addition, outside hitter Sofia Maldonado Diaz occupies the second spot on the club with 2.63 kills per set, while her team-high 15 service aces (0.47/set) is tops in the league. Elsewhere, libero Kamaile Hiapo (7th - 3.85 digs/set) and setter Emery Herman (8th - 8.70 assists/set) find themselves among the Pac-12 leaders, while middle blocker Merle Weidt tops the squad with a .452 hitting percentage and 26 total blocks. Collectively, Arizona is tied for the conference lead with 52 service aces and ranks third with13.42 digs per set. However, the Wildcats are second from the bottom in kills (12.33/set) and hitting percentage (.222). Head coach Dave Rubio is entering his 30th season on the Tucson campus, where he has led Arizona to 20 NCAA Tournament berths, including eight trips to the Sweet 16, four Elite Eight appearances, as well as a trip to the Final Four in 2001. His record with the Wildcats stands at 542-352 (.606).

> UC Riverside co-hosted the UCR/CBU Volleyball Classic last weekend, where it posted a 2-1 mark to raise its season record to 3-4. The Highlanders logged back-to back 3-1 home victories over Southern Utah and New Orleans before dropping a three-set decision at co-host California Baptist to close out the weekend. UCR has played two other Mountain West schools thus far, suffering a 3-0 sweep against New Mexico at the Cal State Fullerton Titan Classic on Aug. 28, before falling to Fresno State in a grueling 3-2 nail-biter at the Bulldogs' own tournament on Sept. 4. The Highlanders posted a 6-22 record during their last season of play before the Big West Conference shut down competition in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Individually, UCR has three players averaging over two kills per set, including outside hitter Amarachi Osuji (2.63), outside hitter Marina Gonzalez (2.46) and opposite hitter Ayanna Kimbrough (2.36), who ranks ninth in the Big West with a .294 hitting percentage. Osuji also landed in the third spot among conference leaders in service aces (0.41/set), while setter Zoey Seput ranks eighth in assists (8.04/set). The Highlanders have five players averaging per set or more, including Osuji (2.70), Seput (2.59), libero Mia Christensen (2.52), outside hitter Mylei Vargas-Deason (2.12) and middle blocker Isabella Scarlett (2.00). As a team, UCR ranks second in the Big West in service aces (1.48/set) and fourth in digs (15.04/set). In addition, the Highlanders have limited their opponents to a .193 hitting percentage, which is second-best in the conference. Not including the canceled 2020 campaign, head coach Michelle Patton-Coleman is in her eighth season at UCR after spending five years at San Francisco State, where she led the Gators to a pair of NCAA Division II regional appearances in 2009 and 2012. 

ON THE HORIZON
>    Following the Wildcat Classic, San Diego State opens Mountain West play next week, hitting the road to battle Nevada on Thursday, Sept. 23 before heading over to the Bay Area for a clash with San José State on Saturday, Sept. 25.