Aztecs Drop Four-Setter at Nevada, Still Clinch MW Tourney Berth
Despite falling in four sets at Nevada Thursday night, the San Diego State volleyball team clinched a spot in the Mountain West Championship after UNLV lost at Utah State later that evening.
RENO, Nev. – The San Diego State volleyball team was a dealt an upset loss by host Nevada on Thursday, dropping a four-set decision (19-25, 31-29, 19-25, 19-25) in a Mountain West match at Virginia Street Gym.
Despite the defeat, the Aztecs (17-8, 9-6 MW) clinched a spot in the 2024 Mountain West Championship after UNLV fell to Utah State on the road in five sets.
With three matches remaining in the regular season, SDSU occupies the fifth spot in the conference standings behind Colorado State, San José State, Fresno State and Utah State, as the top six teams qualify for the MW Championship, set for Nov. 27-30 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aztecs find themselves one game behind the Bulldogs and Aggies, who are tied for third with 10-5 marks in league play.
SDSU was unable to generate a consistent attack on Thursday, as the Wolf Pack (12-14, 5-10 MW) out-hit the Scarlet and Black .285 to .192 to help snap a six-match losing streak. In addition, Nevada maintained the upper hand in kills (65-44), digs (57-48) and service aces (8-5) to key its victory.
The Aztecs were paced by Jasmine Davis’ 13 kills and three service aces, while Campbell Hague provided a spark off the bench with eight put-aways, including six in the second set alone. The SDSU cause was also advanced by Talea Mitchell, Shea Rubright and Natalie Hughes, who launched six non-returnables apiece
Rubright tied for match-high honors with four block assists, while Mitchell added four rejections of her own, including a solo stop. Elsewhere, Gianna Bender anchored the Aztec back row with 13 digs, while Andrea Campos (20 assists) and Sarena Gonzalez (12 assists) shared the bulk of the setting chores.
However, San Diego State was unable to contain the trio of Gabby McLaughlin (18), Carissa Chainey (15) and Sia Liilii (14), who combined for 47 of Nevada’s 65 kills. Additionally, the Wolf Pack received a double-double from Cathedral Catholic High alumna Tehya Maeva (35 assists, 11 digs), while Kinsley Singleton scooped up a match-high 16 digs.
The Aztecs posted their best hitting percentage of the night with a .366 efficiency in a frenetic second set that witnessed 13 ties and seven lead changes. The Scarlet and Black knocked down 18 kills in that span, committing just three errors in 41 attempts, while Nevada countered with 22 put-aways against eight miscues in 50 swings for a .280 clip.
SDSU was seemingly in control of the frame with a 20-17 lead after a Mitchell kill, but a late 7-1 rush vaulted the Wolf Pack in front 24-21. McLaughlin sparked the run with a pair of service aces, while Sierra Bernard, Chainey, Bella Snyder and Maeva each floored a shot.
However, the Aztecs withstood five set points in a see-saw affair, ultimately gaining the upper hand following an errant Wolf Pack serve and a kill by Hague. Moments later, a Nevada attack went awry, allowing the Scarlet and Black to escape by a 31-29 count.
Unfortunately, SDSU was unable to parlay that good fortune for the remainder of the match, combining for a .123 hitting percentage over the final two sets, including a minus-.037 clip in the fourth stanza, where the visitors mustered just five kills against six errors in 27 attempts.
Still, the Aztecs found themselves only trailing 15-14 before Nevada scored five straight points to seize control of that final set. McLaughlin ignited the run with a pair of kills and a solo block, while Liilii and Snyder combined on another rejection. Liilii added two more put-aways down the stretch, including the match winner.
San Diego State wraps up its regular-season road schedule on Saturday, Nov. 16, when it battles Utah State, starting at 7 p.m. MT/6 p.m. PT. The Aztecs will return home for a pair of matches next week, playing host to New Mexico (Nov. 21) and Air Force (Nov. 23).