SAN DIEGO – Despite Taylor Underwood's career-high 31 kills, the San Diego State volleyball team was unable to close out Air Force on Thursday after building a 2-1 advantage in sets, dropping a tough 3-2 decision (23-25, 25-17, 25-20, 20-25, 13-15) in a Mountain West match on Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.
Underwood's performance marks the highest kill total in the conference this season and represents the most by an Aztec since the rally scoring era was adopted in 2001. In addition, the sophomore transfer's 31 put-aways were the most by an SDSU player since Martina Vitkova-Engels (37) and Carrie Mapes (33) combined for 70 kills in the Aztecs' five-set triumph over Wyoming in the first round of the Western Athletic Conference tournament during the sideout era on Nov. 25, 1997.
On Thursday, Underwood hit at a .481 clip, committing just five errors on 54 attempts, while serving up a pair of aces. In addition, the Scarlet and Black received double-digit put-aways from Heipua Tautua'a and Julia Haynie, while Fatimah Hall recorded her third double-double of the year with 37 assists and 13 digs.
Tautua'a tied her season best with 13 kills, while Haynie launched a season-high 12 non-returnables, finishing with a .562 efficiency after committing just three miscues in 16 swings.
Along the back row, McKenna Douglas totaled a match-high 17 digs, while Bailey Darnell added defensive support with 11 scoops of her own.
Collectively, the Aztecs (7-9, 2-3 MW) owned a sharp statistical advantage in kills (77-61) and digs (60-46) while maintaining the edge in hitting percentage (.304 to .289) and service aces (4-3).
However, the Falcons (12-4, 4-1 MW) posted more team blocks (9.0 to 3.0) and benefited from 19 unforced errant attacks by SDSU, with the host school committing four costly ball-handling errors as well, along with a bad set.
After hitting .234 over the first three sets, Air Force posted a .389 attack percentage over the final two frames, totaling just four miscues in that span to complete the comeback and maintain a share of first place in the conference standings with Boise State and Utah State.
Three Falcon players reached double figures in kills, including Joi Harvey, who totaled 17 put-aways against one error on 29 attempts for a .552 hitting percentage, while Mac Russ (.308) floored 13 shots and led all players with six blocks, including a pair of solo stops. Additionally, Aaryn Scires got into the act with 11 kills and four blocks (1 solo), while Caroline Reinkensmeyer dished out a match-high 45 assists.
After grabbing a 2-1 lead in sets, the Aztecs seemed poised to close out the match, racing to an 11-5 lead in the fourth stanza following a kill by Tautua'a, who previously combined with Elly Schraeder on a block.
However, Air Force fought itself off the proverbial ropes, eventually taking the lead for good at 22-19 after a double-hit ball by the Aztecs and consecutive kills by Harvey and Ashley Bible. Moments later, Harvey joined forces with Scires on a block, while Reinkensmeyer followed with a service ace for the clinching point that knotted the score at two sets apiece.
The stage was now set for a dramatic finish, as the teams combined for four ties and three lead changes. The Falcons built an early 5-2 advantage after a put-away by Ella Tschour. SDSU quickly turned the tables with a 6-1 surge to vault in front 8-6. Underwood keyed the outburst with two kills and service ace, while Scarlet and Black benefited from a pair of attack errors and a bad set.
However, the Aztecs were their own worst enemy down the stretch, committing four errant attacks during a 7-2 Air Force surge that put the visitors ahead to stay. Bible, Savanah Johnson and Harvey also added kills in that span to give the Falcons a 13-10 lead. SDSU kept the score close after an Air Force service error and a Schraeder put-away but could not seize the upper hand. Tschour's two kills countered Underwood's final non-returnable, as the Falcons escaped with the win.
In the opening set, the Aztecs found themselves on the wrong side of a 17-12 ledger before recovering to forge a trio of ties, including a 23-23 deadlock following a Haynie kill. However, Air Force kept the host school at bay, as Russ supplied the final two points on a put-away and a solo block.
Stung, SDSU answered with their best offensive production of the night in the second stanza, blasting 20 kills against four errors on 34 swings for a .471 efficiency. Underwood hit a scintillating .917 in the frame, launching 11 non-returnables without an error in 12 swings. With the score knotted at 12-12, Underwood floored three straight shots to put the Scarlet and Black in front for good, igniting a strong 13-5 closing blitz.
The fireworks continued in the third set, with the Aztecs combining for 19 kills, including seven by Underwood and four by Tautua'a. The score witnessed four early ties, including an 11-11 deadlock following a joint block by Harvey and Scires. However, SDSU opened up a commanding 19-13 lead moments later thanks to a pair of kills each by Haynie and Underwood, the latter of whom also served up an ace.
San Diego State will look to rebound on Saturday, Oct. 7, when New Mexico pays a visit to The Mesa for another conference showdown, starting at 1 p.m. PT. The Aztecs will celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month for their clash with Lobos, and the first 250 fans in attendance will receive a free pink cap.
Underwood's Big Night Lost in Aztec Defeat
