SAN DIEGO – Despite maintaining the statistical advantage in kills (42-32) and digs (49-35), the San Diego State volleyball team dropped a gritty three-set decision to visiting UNLV on Tuesday (21-25, 21-25, 20-25) in a Mountain West match on Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.
The Aztecs trailed in team blocks (14.0 to 4.0) and were plagued by 17 more attack errors (26-9), slipping to 5-12 on the year and 2-3 in conference play. Meanwhile, the Rebels (13-3, 4-1 MW) won their fourth straight and moved into sole possession of first place in the conference standings, one-half match over Colorado State, Utah State and San José State after serving up nine aces, compared to just two for the Scarlet and Black.
Offensively, SDSU was once again paced by Victoria O'Sullivan, who blasted 11 kills, while Heipua Tautua'a hit .353 for the night, launching nine put-aways on 17 attempts with just two errors. In addition, Noa Miller recorded her second double-double in an Aztec uniform and 13th of her career after posting a match-high 21 assists along with 12 digs. Not to be outdone, Natalie Smith led all players with 15 scoops of her own, while O'Sullivan and Tautua'a finished with five apiece.
Conversely, UNLV was led by Jordyn Freeman's six block assists, while Mariena Hayden (2 solos) and Kate Brennan (1 solo) totaled five stops each at the net. Hayden recorded a match-high 12 kills and hit .312 for the evening, committing just two errors on 32 attempts. The Rebels' reigning MW Player of the Year also finished with two aces, joining Lauryn Burt (16 assists) and Arien Fafard (12 assists) in that category. In addition, Shelby Capllonch posted a team-high 13 digs.
Still, the Aztecs found themselves in the thick of the fight on Tuesday, as the teams combined for 30 ties and 16 lead changes. However, UNLV unleashed timely runs to keep the host school at bay.
SDSU nursed a slim 16-14 lead in the opening set following kills by Mikela Labno and Tautua'a. The Rebels seized control at this juncture with a 4-0 blitz that sparked a larger 11-5 clinching run. Hayden knocked down two kills and combined with Brennan on a block, while Farfard served up an ace to help put the visitors in front for good. Moments later, Brennan joined forces with Gabrielle Arretche-Ramos on another stuff at the net, while Hayden powered up two aces to help increase UNLV's lead to 22-17, and the Aztecs never threatened for the remainder of the frame.
Like set number one, the second stanza witnessed 10 additional ties to go with four lead changes. After hitting just .111 in the opening frame, SDSU posted a .267 efficiency in the second, knocking down 15 kills on 30 attempts with seven errors. Conversely, the Rebels hit .276 in that stretch, collecting 11 kills against three miscues.
The Aztecs forged a 16-13 advantage after consecutive kills by Tautua'a, who totaled four in the set along with O'Sullivan. However, UNLV benefited from two errant attacks and a bad set, while Arretche-Ramos floored a pair of shots before a Burt service ace put the visitors in front for good at 20-18. SDSU twice cut the margin to one, including a 22-21 spread following consecutive kills by O'Sullivan and Tautua'a. However, the Rebels scored three straight points on a Hayden put-away, an Isha Knight ace and a combined block from Brennan and Hayden to escape with the set.
SDSU was plagued by 10 attack errors in the third set, hitting just .095 in that span despite notching 14 kills on 42 attempts. However, the Rebels saved their best for last with a .312 efficiency, knocking down 11 kills in 32 swings with just one miscue. Still, the Scarlet and Black managed to grab a trio of four-point leads following three UNLV service errors.
The Rebels soon crawled back into contention, and the two teams slugged it out through nine ties and seven lead changes the rest of the way. O'Sullivan, Tautua'a and Jordyn Goldsmith tallied three kills apiece in the final stanza. However, UNLV countered with five team blocks, including three assisted by Freeman, while Burt and Capllonch both recorded aces.
The Aztecs led for one last time, 19-17 on kills by Labno and Andrea Walker before the Rebels answered with six consecutive points to seize the momentum. UNLV was gifted three of those tallies on SDSU attack errors, while Freeman joined forces with Arretche-Ramos on a block, Capllonch floored a shot and Burt served up her aforementioned ace. Shortly thereafter, the Rebels secured the sweep on back-to-back kills by Capllonch and Hayden.
San Diego State will look to regroup on Thursday, Oct. 7, when it wraps up its season-long homestand with another conference showdown against Fresno State. First serve is set for 7 p.m. PT.