Aztecs Stumble in Four-Set Home Loss to Utah State in MW Rematch

SAN DIEGO – Despite a match-high 15 kills from Taylor Underwood and Ella Schabort, the San Diego State volleyball team was unable to build on a one-set lead against Utah State, dropping a 3-1 decision (25-23, 20-25, 20-25, 23-25) in a Mountain West showdown between two conference contenders on Thursday inside Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.

Looking to avenge a narrow five-set defeat against the same squad just last week in Logan, Utah, the Aztecs owned the statistical edge in kills (57-51) and digs (44-42) but were victimized by 11 service errors and eight Aggie aces to suffer their ninth straight defeat to the visitors.

Conversely, USU held a slight edge in team blocks (11.0 to 9.0) and out-hit the Scarlet and Black .272 to .209, committing nine fewer unforced errors (17-8) to help key their win.

With the result, SDSU (12-10, 7-4 MW) finds itself tied for third in the conference race with Wyoming (11-11, 7-4 MW), trailing second-place Colorado State (15-6, 9-2 MW) by two matches, while the Aggies (14-7, 11-0 MW) won their 12th straight to maintain their grip on the top perch in the MW standings.

Schabort’s 15 kills marked a season high, while Underwood surpassed the double-digit plateau in put-aways for the 18th time in 20 appearances this year. In addition, the Aztecs received eight terminations apiece by Madison Corf and Talea Mitchell, the latter of whom tied for match-high honors with five blocks, including a pair of solo efforts.

Elsewhere, freshman Kendall Mairs dished out 24 assists and scooped up eight digs, sharing the setting chores with Sarena Gonzalez, who finished with 20 helpers of her own, while Zara Stewart topped the squad with 11 digs.

The teams combined for 15 ties and three lead changes in a wild opening set, as SDSU posted its highest hitting percentage of the match with a .367 clip, blasting 16 kills in 30 attempts with five errors. Schabort launched six put-aways without an error in eight swings for a .750 efficiency in the frame, while Mitchell and Campbell Hague floored three shots apiece.

With the score knotted at 23-23, Corf smashed a kill, while Stewart followed with an ace for the clinching point, allowing the hosts to grab an early lead on the set scoreboard.

The Aztecs were unable to capitalize on their good fortune, however, hitting just .165 the rest of the night, including a .118 pace in the second stanza, where the Scarlet and Black posted 13 kills against nine miscues in 34 attempts. Underwood and Schabort knocked down four kills each during that span, while Corf added three non-returnables of her own.

Despite their struggles, SDSU still found itself clinging to a 16-15 lead after a Natalie Hughes solo block and a Corf kill. However, USU seized the momentum with a strong 10-4 closing run to even the match at one set apiece. Andrea Simovski and Loryn Helgesen sparked the run with two put-aways each, with the latter providing the clinching point. In addition, Tierney Barlow and Mara Štiglic combined on an earlier block before the Scarlet and Black self-destructed with three attack errors and a wayward serve down the stretch.

After the third frame witnessed three early ties, including a 5-5 deadlock after an Aggie attack error, Utah State took control, building a 15-9 advantage midway through the set, as a Helgesen kill capped a 10-4 surge. Shortly thereafter, USU stretched the margin to seven at 19-12 following an errant SDSU attack and consecutive Barlow put-aways.

The Aztecs managed to trim the deficit to four at 24-20, but a joint block by Schabort and Mitchell came too late, as the Scarlet and Black committed an error on the ensuing serve to abruptly end the set.

SDSU mustered just 12 kills against seven miscues on 30 attempts in the frame for a .167 efficiency, with Underwood’s four terminations leading the way for the host school.

Looking to extend the match to a fifth set, the Aztecs crafted a pair of five-point leads in the fourth stanza, including a 14-9 spread following an errant Aggie attack.

The visitors soon responded with a 13-5 surge, highlighted by Štiglic’s five kills on the heels of a Simovski service ace, to grab a 22-19 lead. Additionally, SDSU shot itself in the proverbial foot with five attack errors in that stretch following a joint block by Helgesen and Lauren Larkin.

Stung, the Aztecs scored three quick points to tie the set at 22-22 thanks to consecutive put-aways by Underwood and Schabort, while Mitchell followed with a solo rejection.

However, SDSU was unable to seize the upper hand, as Simovski launched two late kills, including the final point of the night to secure the match.

Underwood shouldered the offensive burden with six kills in the frame, while Mitchell floored four shots.

Štiglic (.355), Simovski (.320) and Helgesen all finished with 13 kills for USU, while Kaylie Kofe led all players with 39 assists in the win. Larkin also assisted on five blocks, while Barlow finished with four rejections, including two solo stops.

San Diego State returns to the court on Saturday, Nov. 1, when it plays host to Boise State at noon PT. The Aztecs-Broncos clash will air live on the Mountain West Network. Boise State (14-8, 6-5 MW) suffered a 3-0 sweep at UNLV on Thursday night.