SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Despite a valiant effort, the San Diego State volleyball team was unable to keep pace with hot-hitting San José State on Saturday, dropping a three-set decision (20-25, 21-25, 16-25) in a Mountain West match at Spartan Gym.
The teams combined for 26 ties and 11 lead changes in a closely-affair. However, the Aztecs (4-10, 1-1 MW) were out-hit .412 to .257, as the Spartans committed just eight attack errors for the day, knocking down 43 kills on 85 attempts to go with seven service aces to help spark their win.
Victoria O'Sullivan led the Scarlet and Black with 11 kills and hit at a .360 clip, while Jordyn Goldsmith notched season highs of nine put-aways and a .389 efficiency.
In addition, the Aztec cause was advanced by Andrea Walker, who tied for match-high honors with three blocks assists, while Noa Miller (17 assists) and Ashley Vanderpan (10 assists) split the setting responsibilities.
However, SDSU could not contain the tandem of Haylee Nelson and Latahevai Lousi, who combined for 29 of San José State's 43 kills. Nelson led all players with 18 put-aways and hit .630, committing just one error on 27 attempts, while Lousi launched 11 non-returnables of her own and recorded two miscues on 22 swings for a .409 efficiency.
The Spartans (8-4, 2-0 MW) also received sizable contributions from Sarah Smevog, who served up five aces and scooped up a match-high 12 digs, while Mia Schafer led all competitors with 35 assists.
The two sides traded proverbial punches throughout the opening set, combining for 10 ties and eight lead changes. The Aztecs nursed a slim 19-17 advantage following a Mikela Labno kill. However, Nelson almost single-handedly took control at this juncture, collecting five kills to spark an 8-1 closing run, which also included an ace and a put-away by Lousi, along with an errant SDSU set.
The second stanza witnessed an additional 10 ties as each side committed just three attack errors during the frame. The Aztecs forged a 12-9 advantage following a kill by Heipua Tautua'a and an SJSU ball-handling error, but could not extend the margin. However, the Spartans ultimately took the lead for good at 21-18 after consecutive Nelson kills and a Smevog ace.
Moments later, the Aztecs trimmed the margin to 22-21 on back-to-back kills by Julia Haynie and Goldsmith, but could not gain the upper hand. SJSU kept the visitors at bay with consecutive put-aways by Ryann Thomison and a Nelson ace.
SDSU found itself trailing 13-9 in the third frame before crafting a 6-2 run to tie the score at 15-15. Tautua'a knocked down three kills, while O'Sullivan added two more. However, the Spartans seized the momentum to extinguish the Aztecs' hopes of extending the match, clinching the set and the victory with a 10-1 closing blitz. Smevog served up three of her aces during that stretch, while Yazmin Pitpit combined with Schafer and Lousi on a pair of blocks.
San Diego State returns to "America's Finest City to open a four-match homestand, including an encounter with New Mexico on Thursday, Sept. 30, followed by a clash with Air Force on Saturday, Oct. 2.
Aztec Volleyball Falls at San José State
