SAN DIEGO – The San Diego State volleyball team concluded its 2023 season on a sour note Saturday, dropping a narrow four-set decision to UNLV (16-25, 26-24, 21-25, 27-29) in a Mountain West clash inside Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.
Despite double-digit kills from three players, the Aztecs (9-20, 4-14 MW) were unable to avoid their fifth consecutive defeat, as the Rebels (19-11, 11-7 MW) maintained a sizable advantage in team blocks (13.0 to 5.0) to spoil the Scarlet and Black's Senior Day festivities and clinch a spot in next week's Mountain West Championship tournament.
The teams witnessed 33 ties and 15 lead changes in the see-saw affair, with both sides blasting 52 kills apiece. However, UNLV finished with a greater hitting percentage (.254 to .125), committing 12 fewer attack errors (19-31) while owning a slight 8-7 edge in service aces to complete the season sweep and win its fourth straight against the Aztecs.
Individually, SDSU was paced by Taylor Underwood, who surpassed the double-digit kill plateau for the 20th time this season after tying for match-high honors with 14 put-aways, while Mikela Labno (.381) and Heipua Tautua'a launched 10 non-returnables apiece.
The Aztec cause was also advanced by McKenna Douglas, who topped the squad with 14 digs, while Sarena Gonzalez completed her third double-double of the year with 20 assists and 12 digs, sharing the setting chores with Fatimah Hall (25 assists).
However, the Rebels countered with a three-pronged attack of their own, as Isabel Martin totaled 14 kills, followed by Gabrielle Arretche-Ramos (12) and Dakota Quinlan (10), while Chloe Thomas just missed the double-digit barrier with nine put-aways.
In addition, UNLV received a match-high six blocks from Jordyn Freeman, including a solo stop, while Quinlan finished with five rejections. Elsewhere, Isha Knight led all players with 20 digs, while Martin completed a double-double after collecting 14 scoops as well.
After three early ties in the first set, including a 4-4 deadlock, the Rebels vaulted in front for good with five straight points, aided by two errant SDSU attacks. The Aztecs were unable to draw closer than four points the rest of the way, as Quinlan and Arretche-Ramos smashed consecutive kills for the clinching points. Despite four put-aways from Underwood, SDSU hit just .040 in the frame, flooring 11 shots in 50 attempts with nine attack errors.
The Aztecs found themselves looking down the barrel of 21-15 deficit in the second stanza before crafting a timely 11-3 outburst to capture the set and even the match. Amber Keen came up huge off the bench to spark the run, totaling three blocks, including a solo effort, while Underwood and Tautua'a launched two kills apiece, with the latter supplying the clinching point.
SDSU logged its best hitting percentage of the afternoon with a .257 efficiency in the frame, collecting 16 kills against seven miscues in 35 attempts. Tautua'a took center stage with a .750 clip in the set, posting six strikes without an error in eight attempts, while Underwood contributed five more put-aways in that span.
Set three featured seven early ties before UNLV fashioned a 13-3 run to take a commanding 23-13 lead. However, the Aztecs flashed their resiliency with a 6-0 blitz of their own, benefiting from three straight Rebel attack errors and a misdirected serve, while Cara Braun and Labno floored back-to-back shots.
Following a UNLV timeout, the teams exchanged points, with another Labno kill trimming the margin to 24-21. However, SDSU comeback hopes were dashed moments later with a wayward attack. The Aztecs hit just .054 in the frame, as eight errors in 37 attempts offset 10 kills.
The fourth set was the most dramatic of the match, with the teams combining for 15 ties and eight lead changes. SDSU overcame a series of four-point deficits to build a pair of one-point leads, including a 19-18 spread after an Underwood kill. UNLV answered with three straight points on an Arretche-Ramos strike and a kill by Freeman, who followed with a solo block.
Undaunted, the Aztecs emphatically answered with put-aways by Tautau'a and Julia Haynie, sandwiched around an Underwood ace, to reclaim a 23-22 advantage.
Moments later, SDSU reached set point on four different occasions but could not extend the match. Leading 27-26 following an Elly Schraeder non-returnable, the Rebels countered with a solo block and a kill by Arretche-Ramos, while Martin ended the match will another put-away much to the chagrin of the Aztec faithful.
UNLV registered its best hitting percentage of the afternoon with a .361 clip (16-3-36), while limiting SDSU to a .174 efficiency (15-7-46).
Prior to Saturday's contest, San Diego State honored its senior class in a special ceremony, celebrating the accomplishments of Bailey Darnell, Jordyn Goldsmith, Julia Haynie, Reagan Merk, Elly Schraeder and Heipua Tautua'a.
Aztecs Drop Senior Day Match to UNLV
