MALIBU, Calif. – Playing its first ranked team of the season, the San Diego State volleyball team had its moments against No. 9 Baylor on Friday but was unable to sustain the momentum after a spirited third-set rally, as the Aztecs dropped a 3-1 decision (18-25, 17-25, 29-27, 14-25) in their first match of the Pepperdine ASICS Classic.
SDSU (2-2) finished with almost as many kills as the Bears, trailing by a narrow 49-48 margin while maintaining a slight 37-33 advantage in digs.
However, Baylor (2-2) benefited from 40 Aztec attack errors, outhitting the Scarlet and Black .277 to .062 while owning a decisive 20.0 to 7.0 edge in team blocks.
Individually, the Aztecs were paced by Heipua Tautua'a, who recorded her second straight double-double and sixth of her career after posting 13 kills and 16 digs, while Madison Corf launched 11 put-aways of her own. SDSU's offensive fortunes also received a boost from Kayla Rivera (7 kills) and Mikela Labno (6 kills), while Elly Schraeder anchored the middle with five blocks, including a pair of solo stops.
Elsewhere, Sarena Gonzalez (25 assists) and Noa Miller (15 assists, 8 digs) shared the setting responsibilities, while Kat Cooper contributed five kills and two block assists at the net.
Trailing 0-2 in sets, SDSU entertained hopes of a comeback in the third stanza, as the teams combined for 13 ties and a pair of lead changes. The Aztecs enjoyed their most productive set of the match, blasting 16 kills, including four apiece by Corf and Tautua'a. In addition, the Scarlet and Black limited the Bears to their lowest hitting percentage of the day (.121).
Nevertheless, San Diego State still found itself on the verge of defeat after Baylor took a 24-21 lead following a block by Lauren Harrison and Mallory Talbert. Unfazed, the Aztecs maintained their composure, fighting off five additional match points with an 8-3 closing spurt, clinching the set with three straight points to overcome a 27-26 deficit. Kills by Cooper and Labno, followed by Corf's service ace, afforded SDSU some new life.
Unfortunately, the Aztecs' new-found enthusiasm was soon dashed early in the fourth frame, as the Bears grabbed a 9-4 lead and were never threatened. SDSU twice pulled to within three, including a 10-7 spread after Tautua'a floored a shot. However, Baylor reeled off seven straight points to put the set and match essentially out of reach. The Aztecs self-destructed in that span, committing three straight attack errors, while Talbert served up an ace.
The Bears' Riley Simpson led all players with 14 kills, finished with a .407 efficiency after committing just three errors on 27 swings, while Harrison totaled 13 put-aways of her own. In addition, Kara McGhee (9 kills) posted 11 total blocks, including a solo stuff, while Talbert (9 block assists) and Harrison (8 block assists) figured prominently in Baylor's defensive efforts as well.
The Bears built a series of six-point leads in the opening set, including a 20-14 margin following a McGhee kill off a feed from Averi Carlson, who compiled 42 assists on the day. SDSU tallied three straight points to cut the deficit following a Labno kill, Schraeder's solo block and Baylor ball-handling error. However, the Bears pulled away down the stretch thanks to 5-1 closing run, benefiting from an errant Aztec serve for the clincher.
The sides combined for seven ties early in the second stanza until the Scarlet and Black forged a slim 11-10 lead following a Baylor attack error. However, Harrison took over at this juncture, knocking down two kills while combining with Talbert on a pair of blocks to put the Bears in front for good at 14-12.
SDSU was gifted a point on a wayward attack, but Baylor fashioned a 7-1 blitz to give themselves some breathing room at 21-14. Simpson bookended the run with a pair of kills, while McGhee added two blocks, including a solo stop, helping Baylor build a 2-0 advantage in sets.
The Aztecs wrap up their second fall tournament on Saturday, when they battle host Pepperdine at noon PT, followed by a clash with UC Santa Barbara at 7 p.m. PT. Links to streaming video for both matches will be available on GoAztecs.com.
Aztecs Drop Four-Setter to No. 9 Baylor
