Aztecs Sweep Fresno State in MW Opener

FRESNO, Calif. – The San Diego State volleyball team opened its 27th and final season of Mountain West competition on Thursday with a convincing three-set sweep over Fresno State (25-17, 25-21, 25-16) inside Save Mart Center.

The Aztecs maintained the statistical advantage in most categories, including hitting percentage (.252 to .032), kills (44-30), digs (51-42) and team blocks (7.0 to 6.0) to help even their record at 6-6 on the year, while the Bulldogs slip to 4-8 overall.

The SDSU defense limited Fresno State to a .040 efficiency over the final two sets, including a .000 efficiency (6-6-37) in the third frame, as the Scarlet and Black completed its first sweep in Fresno since 2022.

Individually, the Aztecs were paced by Taylor Underwood, who surpassed the double-digit kill plateau for the eighth consecutive match after blasting 12 non-returnables, while Madison Corf finished with nine terminations of her own and collected season-high 15 digs, which led all players.

The SDSU attack also featured a six-kill effort by Mila Gehlen, while Amber Keen contributed five put-aways and a match-high four block assists.

Elsewhere, Zara Stewart recorded double-digit digs for the seventh straight outing after collecting 14 scoops, while Bella Jones (18 assists) and Kendall Mairs (15 assists, 8 digs) split the setting chores.

Save for four early ties, SDSU led throughout the opening set, breaking open a tight 7-5 score with an emphatic 14-5 run to take command. Underwood knocked down a pair of kills and served up an ace in that stretch, while Corf floored a shot and twirled an ace as well, helping the Aztecs build a comfortable 21-10 cushion.

Moments later, Keen added a kill after joining forces with Gehlen on a block, while Hughes ultimately provided the clinching point with a kill of her own deep in the Fresno State backcourt.

SDSU displayed tremendous balance in the frame, with five players recording at least two kills, including three apiece by Underwood and Keen.

The teams battled through seven ties and three lead changes in the second stanza until the Aztecs vaulted in front for good at 15-13 following back-to-back kills by Underwood. SDSU methodically pulled away at this juncture, benefiting from a bad set and a service error, while Corf and Underwood launched consecutive kills to give the visitors a 22-17 advantage.

The Bulldogs were unable to narrow the gap closer than three points for the remainder of the set, as Keen and Underwood combined on a block, while Campbell Hague added a late kill to keep the hosts at bay.

Underwood shouldered much of the offensive burden with seven kills in the frame, while Corf’s three put-aways and Keen’s three block assists bolstered the Aztecs’ fortunes.

Underwood continued her stellar play in the third set, knocking down a kill and combining with Hague on consecutive blocks to give the Scarlet and Black an early 5-1 cushion.

Fresno State twice cut the deficit to one, including an 11-10 spread after a kill by Jenna Legault. However, SDSU jumped in front stay following a Bulldog attack error and another Underwood kill, which sparked a 14-6 closing blitz.

Hague also aided the Aztec cause during the run with a pair of terminations and a service ace, while Gehlen floored a pair of shots before Keen ended the match with a thunderous kill from the middle, as the SDSU bench erupted in jubilation.

The Aztecs saved their best for last, launching 17 kills in the frame against six errors in 37 attempts for a .297 efficiency, while Fresno State mustered just six put-aways, which were offset by six miscues in 37 swings as well. Individually, Underwood, Corf, Hague and Gehlen posted three kills apiece in that span.

On the flip side, Legault (13) and Addison Haluska (11) combined for 24 of Fresno State’s 30 kills for the night, but it wasn’t enough. In addition, Gabby Lombardi dished out a match-high 24 assists, while her sister, Olivia Lombardi finished with 10 digs in the loss.

San Diego State continues its weekend excursion on Saturday, Sept. 27, when it battles San José State in another conference showdown in San Jose, California. First serve from Spartan Gym is set for 1 p.m. PT, and the contest will air live on the Mountain West Network. SJSU (6-6, 1-0 MW) outlasted UNLV (6-5, 0-1 MW) in a grueling five-set battle on Thursday night.