PORTLAND, Ore. – The San Diego State volleyball team dropped a three-set decision (14-25, 13-25, 25-27) to Kansas State on Saturday in its second match of the Hotel Vance Rose City Showdown at Viking Pavilion on the campus of Portland State University.
The Wildcats (2-0) maintained the statistical advantage in most categories, including kills (49-30) and hitting percentage (.532 to .243), committing just seven attack errors on the afternoon.
The Aztecs (1-1) were led by Heipua Tautua'a, who blasted nine kills to go with five digs and a pair of service aces, while Kat Cooper totaled five put-aways of her own on a .455 efficiency, finishing with just one miscue in 11 attempts.
In addition, Fatimah Hall (13 assists) and Sarena Gonzalez (12 assists) split the setting chores, while Elly Schraeder (.556) racked up five kills to go with two block assists.
SDSU stumbled out of the gates, combining for just 15 kills and a .120 hitting percentage in the first two sets before springing to life in the third and final stanza.
In the third set, the teams combined for 14 ties and six lead changes, as Tautua'a tallied five of her kills in the frame, while Cooper and Madison Corf launched three non-returnables apiece.
K-State forged a series of four-point leads down the stretch, including a 22-18 spread following an Aztec service error. However, SDSU flashed its resiliency, crafting a 6-1 outburst to take a late 24-23 lead. Cooper served up two aces and knocked down a kill to highlight the run after a Tautua'a ace gave the Scarlet and Black some momentum.
However, two kills by Aliyah Carter vaulted the Wildcats back into the lead before Corf responded with the equalizer to knot the score at 25-25.
The Aztecs were unable to regain the upper hand, as K-State secured the match after Sydney Bolding floored a shot and promptly joined forces with Shaylee Myers on a block for the clinching point.
Carter led all players with 14 kills and three service aces, while Aniya Clinton (.571) reached double figures as well with 10 put-aways of her own.
San Diego State concludes its weekend stay in the Pacific Northwest when it squares off against tournament host Portland State on Sunday, starting at 1:30 p.m. PT. The contest will air on a subscription basis via ESPN+. The Vikings (1-1) swept Cal State Fullerton on Saturday night.
Aztecs Toppled by Kansas State in Three Sets
