Aztecs Fall in Four Sets at UNLV

LAS VEGAS – Despite Taylor Underwood’s 22 kills, the San Diego State volleyball team was unable avoid a second straight defeat on Saturday after dropping a 3-1 decision to UNLV (15-25, 27-29, 25-18, 20-25) in a Mountain West match at The Pavilion.

With the loss, the Aztecs (11-8, 6-2 MW) split the regular-season series against the Rebels (10-8, 4-4 MW), who became the first team to record at least a .300 hitting percentage against the Scarlet and Black this season after finishing with a .314 efficiency.

In addition, UNLV maintained the statistical advantage in kills (65-55), blocks (10.0 to 4.0) and service aces (4-3) to help key the victory.

Underwood’s 22 put-aways tied for match-high honors and equaled her season best, as the SDSU senior logged a .380 hitting percentage, committing just three errors in 50 attempts.

The Aztec attack also featured a nine-kill effort from Natalie Hughes, while Amber Keen (.412) and Ella Schabort launched seven put-aways each.

Making her just her second appearance of the season, Sarena Gonzalez notched her eighth career double-double with 19 assists and 13 digs, while Kendall Mairs accomplished the feat for the third straight match and seventh time this year after dishing out 17 helpers and collecting 11 scoops.

Not to be outdone, Zara Stewart turned in another solid performance along the back row after compiling a team-high 14 digs, marking the 16th time in 18 matches she has eclipsed the double-digit barrier in that statistic.

SDSU stumbled out of the gates in the first set, unable to recover from an early 8-1 deficit. The Aztecs managed just nine kills against six errors in 28 attempts during that span for a .107 hitting percentage, while UNLV posted a crisp .507 efficiency, flooring 16 of 28 shots with one error.

The Rebels recorded five team blocks in the frame, including three assisted rejections by Rheanna Deen-Jackson, while Brooklynn Williams helped on two others, teaming with Basia Latos for the clinching point.

After posting just two kills in the opening set, Underwood started heating up in the second stanza, launching eight non-returnables, while Keen and Hughes floored three shots apiece.

The teams combined for 13 ties and two lead changes in the frame before SDSU reached set point at 24-22 following a UNLV serving error. However, the Aztecs were unable to produce the clincher, as the Rebels fashioned a 7-3 surge to escape.

Jaida Harris collected three kills during the run, while Deen-Jackson combined on a block with Basia Latos, who later terminated a ball to put the host school in front for good. Moments later, SDSU committed an untimely attack error, giving UNLV a commanding 2-0 lead on the set scoreboard.

Unfazed, the Aztecs posted their best hitting percentage of the day with a .370 clip in the third frame, knocking down 13 kills against three errors in 27 swings. Underwood and Hughes collected four put-aways each, while Talea Mitchell assisted on a pair of blocks.

After seven early ties, the Scarlet and Black tallied three straight points to break a 10-10 deadlock, taking the lead for good on a Schabort service ace, an errant Rebel attack and a combined block by Underwood and Mitchell.

SDSU kept the hosts at bay down the stretch after receiving kills by Hughes, Underwood and Mitchell, who subsequently teamed with Annelise Rising on a block to secure the set and extend the match.

Buoyed by their good fortune, the Aztecs raced to a 6-2 lead in the fourth stanza, led by Underwood, who opened the set with four kills, while Keen added another.

However, UNLV gradually seized the momentum with a 10-5 run, vaulting in front for good at 12-11 after an SDSU service error. Williams keyed the outburst with three kills, while Latos, Harris, Deen-Jackson and Alondra Alarcon each floored a shot.

The Aztecs fought to remain in contention, narrowing the gap to 16-14 on kill by Hughes but could draw no closer. After Mitchell and Underwood joined forces on a block to cut the deficit to 21-18, the Rebels closed with a 4-2 run to extinguish any SDSU comeback hopes. Kaia Thiele served up an ace, while Latos added two late kills, including the match-winner.

The Aztecs launched 17 kills in the set, compiling a .333 hitting percentage after committing just two miscues in 45 attempts. However, UNLV trumped that effort with a .364 clip after collecting 18 kills against two errors in 44 swings.

Harris matched Underwood’s output with 22 kills of her own, while Williams (12), Latos (10) and Deen-Jackson (10) also reached double digits in put-aways. Elsewhere, Alarcon (20 digs) and Agata Makowska (27 assists) led all players in their respective categories.

San Diego State continues its road swing next week when it battles Utah State on Thursday, Oct. 23, before locking horns with Boise State on Saturday, Oct. 25.