Aztecs Surge Past IU Indy in Season Opener at Husky Invitational

SEATTLE – San Diego State captured the final three sets to secure a 3-1 triumph (23-25, 25-23, 25-15, 25-19) over IU Indy on Friday in the season opener for both teams at the Husky Invitational inside Alaska Airlines Arena.

In the first-ever meeting between the two squads, the Aztecs were paced by the duo of freshman Layla Austin (17 kills) and senior Ella Schabort (16 kills), while sophomores Kendall Mairs (34 assists, 13 digs) and Zara Stewart (21 digs, 10 assists) each recorded a double-double.

A former prep All-American from Southlake, Texas, Austin led all players with her production, including a sparkling .400 hitting percentage, adding two service aces in her collegiate debut, while Schabort flashed her versatility with four digs, three blocks and one ace.

In addition, the SDSU cause was aided by sophomore Taelyn Bentley, who blasted eight kills, while junior Tessa Schouten launched seven put-aways of her own and came up with four blocks, including a solo rejection.

Not to be outdone, Mairs’ 34 assists marked a career high en route to her 12th double-double as an Aztec, while Stewart matched her collegiate best with her 10 helpers to complete her second career double-double.

Collectively, the Scarlet and Black outhit the Jaguars .264 to .205, maintaining the statistical edge in most categories, including kills (56-46), aces (6-3), digs (45-35) and team blocks (7.0 to 6.0).

The teams combined for 19 ties and six lead changes in two closely contested sets to begin the match before the Aztecs asserted themselves in the final two frames.

Nursing a 14-12 lead in the first set, IU Indy benefited from two SDSU attack errors following an Elle Patterson kill to build a 17-12 advantage. The Aztecs responded with an 8-3 spurt to forge a 20-20 deadlock. The Jaguars shot themselves in the proverbial foot during that stretch with two wayward serves, an unforced attack error and a bad set, while Bentley and Austin each blasted a kill after Mairs and Schouten combined on a block.

However, SDSU was unable to seize the upper hand, as IU Indy fashioned a 5-3 surge to escape with the set. The Aztecs knotted the score at 23-23 following an errant serve and a wayward attack by the Jaguars, but the Scarlet and Black returned the favor with a service error of its own, while Laura Roeder followed with an ace for the clinching point.

The Aztecs featured a balanced attack in the set, with five players recording at least two kills, including five by Schabort and three by Austin. However, IU Indy committed four fewer attack errors (4-8) and served up two aces to provide for the winning margin..

The two sides witnessed another see-saw affair in the second stanza, as SDSU held off a plucky Jaguar squad that rallied from a 9-5 deficit to take a brief 20-19 lead after an Aztec service error. Following an exchange of kills, the Scarlet and Black inched in front by two thanks to an errant serve and an off-target attack by IU Indy. Clinging to a precarious 23-21 advantage, SDSU was temporarily unable to dispatch the Jaguars after committing an attack error of their own before Patterson knotted the score with a kill moments later.

The Aztecs didn’t blink, however, as Austin quickly ended the suspense with consecutive kills to secure the set for the Scarlet and Black. Although SDSU was out-hit in the frame (.364 to .351), the Aztecs recorded more kills (18-14) to help even the match. Austin and Schabort led the way with six kills apiece in the set, while Stewart had nine digs to support the defensive effort.

Buoyed by its good fortune, SDSU maintained a strong defensive presence in the third frame to seize control of the match. Neither team hit with any consistency, as the Scarlet and Black mustered just nine kills, compared to 10 for the Jaguars. However, the Aztecs posted 12 digs and came up with six team blocks to limit IU Indy to a minus-.027 hitting percentage for the set. Schabort assisted on three rejections in that span, while Schouten (two assists) and Austin each recorded a solo stop.

Nursing a slim 10-9 advantage, the Aztecs closed with a strong 15-6 run to win the set going away. Annabelle De Jager got into the act with two kills in that span, while Schouten floored a pair of shots after Austin served up an ace.

SDSU regained its offensive rhythm in the fourth set, posting a .345 efficiency after smashing 15 kills on 29 attempts with five errors. Austin continued her hot hitting with five put-aways, while Schabort launched four non-returnables of her own in the frame, followed by Bentley and Schouten with two each.

Save for two early ties, the Aztecs led throughout the set, building a 23-13 cushion on the heels of a Jaguar attack error. IU Indy narrowed the gap with a late push, but the deficit proved too much to overcome, as Schabort extinguished any faint hopes for the opposition with a kill to ice the victory.

The Jaguars were led by the combo of Jillian Tippmann (17 kills) and Bailey Sinish (16 kills), while Grace Purichia handed out a match-high 37 assists in the loss.

The Husky Invitational continues Saturday, Aug. 29, when San Diego State battles host Washington, starting at 7 p.m. PT. The Aztecs-Huskies showdown will air live via subscription basis on Big Ten Network+.