SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego State volleyball team embarks its final road trip of the regular season this week when it faces Air Force and New Mexico in a pair of Mountain West matches. The Aztecs will square off against the Falcons at the Academy on Thursday, Nov. 11, starting at 6 p.m. MT/5 p.m. PT, before heading to the Land of Enchantment to battle the Lobos in Albuquerque on Saturday, Nov. 13, beginning at 1 p.m. MT/noon PT. In addition to live stats, both matches will be streamed live via the Mountain West Network with a link available on GoAztecs.com.
QUICK HITS
> SDSU still occupies the ninth spot in the Mountain West standings with a 4-10 mark and a 7-19 record overall. The Aztecs find themselves four matches behind Boise State, New Mexico and UNLV, which are all tied for fourth with four contests left to play. The top six teams in the league will receive a bid to the MW Championship, Nov. 24-26, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
> The Aztecs are coming off a narrow 3-2 loss last Saturday at Fresno State (16-25, 25-17, 24-26, 25-22, 8-15).
> As of Nov. 10, senior Victoria O'Sullivan ranks third in the league for all matches with an average of 3.70 kills per set. The Aztec outside hitter has posted double-digit kills in 21 of her previous 23 starts and has surpassed that plateau in 53 of her last 68 appearances dating back to the start of the 2019 campaign.
> O'Sullivan has been especially productive of late, blasting 82 kills over the last four matches (4.32/set) while hitting at a .324 clip. With her performance, the Aztec outside hitter needs just 27 kills to reach the 1,000 mark for her career.
> Entering the weekend, San Diego State ranks second in the MW for conference matches with an average of 13.04 kills and 11.98 assists per set. In addition, Aztec opponents have the recorded the fewest digs in league play (10.87/set).
SERIES RECORD VS. AIR FORCE
> Although the Falcons have won five of the last 10 meetings, SDSU still holds a sizable 39-8 advantage in the all-time series, which dates back to 1996.
> The Aztecs swept Air Force in the last match between the two squads on Oct. 2 in San Diego, with narrow set scores of 26-24, 27-25 and 25-21.
> In a contest that featured 35 ties,12 lead changes and seven team blocks apiece, SDSU posted its third-highest hitting percentage of the season with a .337 efficiency while maintaining a slight advantage in kills (46-43) and digs (33-32). In addition, the Scarlet and Black served up more aces (6-2) and committed three fewer attack errors (16-13) to help squeeze out the victory.
> Victoria O'Sullivan led all players with 13 kills and three service aces to go with a trio of blocks, including a solo stop, while Mikela Labno reached the double-digit plateau with 10 put-aways and hit at a .474 pace with just one error on 19 attempts.
> The Aztecs have dropped three straight at the Academy, including a tough 3-2 setback (13-25, 25-15, 25-16, 22-25, 11-5) in their visit on Oct. 19, 2019.
> O'Sullivan (10 kills) and Andrea Walker (9 kills, 7 block assists) are the lone SDSU returners from that contest.
SERIES RECORD VS. NEW MEXICO
> Although SDSU had its eight-match winning streak against the Lobos snapped at home earlier this season, the Aztecs still lead the all-time series vs. New Mexico 44-22.
> In the last meeting between the two squads on Sept. 30, the Lobos came to San Diego and claimed a four-set victory (20-25, 20-25, 25-16, 21-25).
> Despite a stellar defensive effort in which SDSU maintained the upper hand in team blocks (10.0 to 7.0) and digs (42-33), the Aztecs were victimized by 10 service aces in that contest and hit just .168 for the night.
> Individually, SDSU was paced by Victoria O'Sullivan and Heipua Tautua'a, who collected eight kills apiece, while Mikela Labno launched eight put-aways of her own and hit .400 for the match. In addition, Andrea Walker finished with a .455 efficiency, knocking down seven kills with two miscues in 11 attempts.
> The Aztecs have won three straight vs. the Lobos in Albuquerque and are 6-4 in their last 10 trips to the Duke City.
> San Diego State posted a 3-1 victory on Halloween in its last excursion to New Mexico in 2019 (25-20, 15-25, 25-21, 25-14).
> O'Sullivan and Walker are the only two Aztec holdovers from that match. O'Sullivan led all players with 16 kills and hit .464 for the match, committing just three errors in 28 swings, while Walker (.357) floored seven shots and came up with a pair of block assists.
> Collectively, SDSU owned the statistical advantage in most categories, including kills (59-51), hitting percentage (.295 to 229) and digs (68-45), while the two sides recorded 7.0 team blocks apiece.
> Since the Mountain West's inception in 1999, the Aztecs are 28-15 against UNM overall, including an 11-10 mark on the road.
SDSU IN MW RANKINGS
> As of Nov. 10, outside hitter Victoria O'Sullivan has climbed into the third position with 3.70 kills per set for overall matches and 3.87 kills per set during conference play.
> O'Sullivan's career-high 24 kills against Utah State on Oct. 28 is tied for the third-highest figure in the Mountain West this year, while her 23 put-aways vs. Boise State (Oct. 30) and Fresno State (Nov. 6) are tied for the fifth most in the conference. Not to be outdone, the Aztec senior knocked down 22 kills in a road sweep at Boise State on Oct. 14, which represents the highest total for a three-set match.
> In addition, senior Natalie Smith ranks fourth in the Mountain West with an average of 3.67 digs per set (349 overall).
> Smith's 27 digs vs. Houston Baptist on Aug. 27 is tied for the fourth-best performance in the conference this season and is tops for a three-set match. In addition, the SDSU libero posted 22 scoops vs. UC Riverside on Sept. 18, which is tied for the third-best total in a three-set contest.
> Despite missing the last three matches, setter Noa Miller occupies the eighth spot in the league with 6.01 assists per frame.
> As a team, San Diego State ranks second in the conference in Mountain West matches with 13.04 kills and 11.98 assists per set while ranking fifth with a .233 hitting percentage.
> For all matches, the Aztecs occupy the fourth spot in the league in assists (11.68/set) and are slotted fifth in both kills (12.63/set) and digs (12.94/set) while ranking seventh in hitting percentage (.219).
> SDSU's 55 collective kills at Boise State are the most for a three-set match in the MW this year, while its 65 kills as a team vs. Utah State is tied for eighth for all matches.
KNOCKING ON THE DOOR OF THE 1,000-KILL CLUB
> After launching 23 non-returnables against Fresno State, Victoria O'Sullivan needs just 27 put-aways to reach the 1,000-kill plateau for her career.
> O'Sullivan is on the verge of becoming the seventh Aztec player since 2003 to compile 1,000 career kills following Deja Harris (1,298; 2014-18), Andrea Hannasch (1,242; 2009-12), Hannah Turnlund (1,123; 2016-19), Raegan Shelton (1,076; 2010-13), Aspen McPartland (1,030; 2001-03) and Lauren Salisbury (1,004; 2007-10).
> In addition, the Aztec senior needs just 60 put-aways to reach 400 kills for the season, which would make her just the fourth SDSU player in the Mountain West era (since 1999) to reach that milestone behind McPartland (413; 2003), Alexandra Psoma (407; 2016) and Melanie Greene (404; 2006).
> The Aztec senior currently ranks third in the conference with 3.70 kills per set, which represents the highest single-season clip for an SDSU player since 1999.
ACES HIGH
> SDSU served up a season-high 10 aces last Saturday in its five-set loss at Fresno State.
> Against the Bulldogs, Zoi Faki and Ashley Vanderpan tied their career highs with three aces apiece, while Heipua Tautua'a matched her personal best with two.
> With their effort, the Aztecs reached double digits in aces for the first time since Oct. 26, 2019, when they served up 10 in a home sweep of Utah State.
FEAST OR FAMINE
> Fifteen of San Diego State's 26 matches have been completed in three sets this season, with the Aztecs posting a 6-9 record in those contests.
> However, SDSU has played just one three-setter in its last six encounters, dropping a road match at Wyoming on Oct. 23.
> SDSU has played a total of six five-set matches this year, suffering a pair of 3-2 defeats in conference play vs. Fresno State, including its home clash with the Bulldogs on Oct. 7, when the Scarlet and Black held a 2-1 lead in sets. The Aztecs also built a pair of 2-1 leads in close losses to Utah State on Oct. 28 and vs. Sam Houston in their final encounter of the Bearkat Invite on Aug. 28.
> In addition, San Diego State was victimized by a furious rally against Colorado State at home on Oct. 21, as the Rams overcame an 0-2 deficit to hand the Scarlet and Black a heartbreaking five-set defeat.
> SDSU has come out on the wrong side of the scoreboard in each of their four-set matches this year, falling to No. 21 Pepperdine (Sept. 4), Kansas State (Sept. 4), No. 25 San Diego (Sept. 11), New Mexico (Sept. 30) and Boise State (Oct. 30).
OTHER TRENDS
> Six of San Diego State's seven victories this season have been recorded when the Aztecs have finished with more kills and digs, as well as a greater hitting percentage.
> SDSU has lost four matches this season when posting a better efficiency, with three occurring in five-set defeats. The Aztecs out-hit Sam Houston in their final match of the Bearkat Invitational on Aug. 28 (.230 to .179) before experiencing the same fate at home vs. Fresno State on Oct. 7 (.247 to .201). In addition, San Diego State suffered a 3-2 shaving at home against Utah State on Oct. 28 despite outhitting the Aggies .206 to .146. Two days later, the Aztecs posted a better efficiency vs. Boise State (.255 to .214) but fell short in four sets.
> San Diego State has dropped seven matches this year when posting more kills than the opposition, including its last five home encounters vs. UNLV (42-32), Fresno State (62-56), Colorado State (64-62), Utah State (65-46) and Boise State (Oct.30). The Aztecs also recorded more kills in that five-setter at Sam Houston on Aug. 28 (59-52) and a four-set home defeat to No. 25 San Diego on Sept. 11 (57-49).
> The Aztecs are 4-0 when hitting above .300 this season, including a season-high .400 clip in their 3-0 upset at Boise State on Oct. 14. The Scarlet and Black also notched a .384 efficiency in a sweep at UC Santa Barbara on Sept. 3, followed by a .337 pace in a hard-fought whitewash of Air Force on Oct. 2. In addition, SDSU finished with a .303 hitting percentage in a blanking of UC Riverside at the Wildcat Classic.
> The Aztecs have fallen in three matches when maintaining the upper hand in blocks, including losses to New Mexico (10.0 to 7.0), Long Beach State (8.0 to 5.0) and the second defeat at Sam Houston (12.0 to 7.0).
> San Diego State's sweep of Air Force marked the first time this season the Aztecs prevailed when an opponent hit over .200 for the match, as the Falcons finished with a .272 clip.
> Not to be outdone, SDSU's come-from-behind thriller in five sets at UNLV on Nov. 1 marked the first match this year in which the Aztecs were victorious when posting fewer kills (50-61) and an opponent hit over .300 for the match, as the Rebels posted a .361 clip.
> When Victoria O'Sullivan posted a team-leading nine kills in SDSU's sweep at Nevada on Sept. 23, it marked the first time in four matches this year the Aztecs emerged victorious without having a player reaching the double-digit plateau in that statistic.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
> Air Force (6-18, 3-11 MW) has dropped two straight and three of its last four, including a 3-0 whitewash (14-25, 19-25, 15-25) at Boise State in its last outing on Nov. 6. The Falcons' lone victory in that stretch was a 3-1 triumph (25-14, 25-21, 16-25, 25-23) at home vs. Wyoming on Oct. 30. Air Force is 6-3 at Cadet East Gym this season but is a combined 0-15 away from its home court. Senior outside hitter Bailey Keith (2.27 kills/set) and sophomore middle blocker Joi Harvey (2.20) have been the Falcons' main offensive threats thus far, followed closely by freshman middle blocker Mac Russ (1.85 kills/set), junior outside hitter BrookeLyn Messenger (1.74 kills/set) and junior middle blocker Taleah Cooper (1.71 kills/set). Entering the weekend, Harvey occupies the third spot in the conference with a .388 hitting percentage and ranks seventh in blocks (1.07/set), just ahead of Russ, who finds herself in the ninth position (0.99/set). Air Force's setting responsibilities have been shared by sophomore Caroline Reinkensmeyer (4.87 assists/set), senior Abigail Collins (3.81 assists/set) and fellow classmate Lily Landis (3.66/set). Along the back row, sophomore Allie Griffith leads the Falcons in digs (2.66/set), followed by freshman Murphy Riggs (2.09/set). Collectively, Air Force is sixth among MW teams this week in blocks (2.15/set). However, the Falcons occupy 10th spot in kills (11.38/set), assists (10.27/set), digs (11.33/set) and hitting percentage (.189). Air Force is under the direction of Keith Barnett, who was elevated to head coach prior to the 2019 campaign after serving a four-year stint as a Falcons assistant, including the 2018 season as the team's associate head coach. Last spring, he directed Air Force to a 7-6 record--all against MW competition--for the squad's second winning ledger since 1999. The Falcons' seven wins also tied their program record for conference victories set by the 2018 club. Prior to his arrival at the Academy, Barnett was an assistant coach at West Texas A&M (2013-14) and the head coach at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs (2009-12). He played collegiately at Pepperdine, where he received second-team All-American honors at setter in 2001.
> Entering the week, New Mexico (17-8, 8-6 MW) finds itself in a three-way for fourth place in the Mountain West with Boise State and UNLV. Prior to Saturday's clash with SDSU, the Lobos will play host to the Rebels on Thursday night. UNM dropped its previous encounter with UNLV and has split a pair of meetings with Boise State. The Lobos are 9-2 at home this fall to go with a combined 8-6 mark on road/neutral floors. After snapping conference leader Colorado State's seven-match winning streak at home on Oct. 30, UNM suffered a pair of 3-0 sweeps on the road last week at Boise State (7-25, 13-25, 11-25) and Utah State (13-25, 24-26, 15-25). Offensively, New Mexico has been paced by junior outside hitter Kaitlynn Biassou, who ranks second in the Mountain West with 3.79 kills per set, while sophomore outside hitter Uxue Guereca occupies the 10th spot with 2.90 put-aways per frame. In addition, the Lobos have received a boost from senior middle blocker Avital Jaloba (1.75 kills/set), a transfer from Arizona State who ranks 10th in the conference with a .340 hitting percentage, while junior libero Alena Moldan is slotted third in the MW with an average of 4.22 digs per set. Elsewhere, sophomore setter Melissa Walden finds herself in the fourth position with 8.23 assists per set and ranks 10th with 2.70 digs per frame. At the net, freshman middle blocker Elizabeth Woods occupies the eighth spot in the MW with 1.03 blocks per set. As a team, the Lobos lead the conference with a .167 opponent hitting percentage, which ranks 43rd in the national, while their 14.52 digs per set ranks second in the league. Additionally, UNM is slotted fifth in the MW with a .230 hitting percentage, but is just seventh in kills (12.60/set), assists (11.43), blocks (2.13/set) and service aces (1.43/set). The Lobos are under the guidance of third-year head coach Jon Newman-Gonchar, who arrived on the Albuquerque campus after spending the previous three seasons at Arkansas as associate head coach. Newman-Gonchar has also had stints as an assistant coach at Iowa State (2013-15), Loyola Marymount (2010-12), as well as UC San Diego with both the men's and women's teams (2007-09).
ON THE HORIZON
> Following Saturday's match at New Mexico, San Diego State returns home for its final two matches of the regular season when it plays host to Nevada on Thursday, Nov. 18 (7 p.m. PT), followed by a showdown with San José State on Saturday, Nov. 20 (1 p.m. PT). Prior to the Aztecs-Spartans finale, SDSU will hold a special ceremony to highlight Senior Day festivities.
Aztecs Prep for Final Regular-Season Road Trip
