Austin's Big Day Propels Aztecs Past Cougars in Four Sets

SAN DIEGO – Bolstered by Layla Austin’s career-high 21 kills, the San Diego State volleyball team returned to the win-column on Saturday with a 3-1 triumph over Washington State (25-17, 25-13, 23-25, 25-22) in a Pac-12 match inside Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.

With the victory, the Aztecs sweep the season series from the Cougars, raising their record to 14-7 overall and 9-2 in conference play, while WSU slips to 9-12 on the year and 4-7 in Pac-12 action.

SDSU served up a season-high 10 aces and maintained a slight edge in team blocks (8.0 to 7.0) against the Cougars, who entered the weekend leading the conference in that latter statistic and ranking ninth in the country overall (2.89 blocks/set).

In addition, the Aztecs owned a 59-43 advantage in kills and a 63-55 edge in digs to help key their win.

Austin hit .378 for the match, terminating 21 shots on 45 attempts with just four errors. Not to be outdone, the SDSU outside hitter lead all players with career-high four service aces and collected eight digs. With her production, Austin becomes the first Aztec to eclipse the 20-kill barrier since Taylor Underwood launched 22 put-aways at Grand Canyon on Nov. 6, 2025.

The SDSU cause was also advanced by Ella Schabort (14 kills, 12 digs) and Kendall Mairs (51 assists, 11 digs, who each completed a double-double, while Taelyn Bentley blasted eight kills on 13 swings with just one error for a .538 hitting percentage while tying Schabort for match-high honors with six block assists.

Schabort’s six block assists also marked a career high, while Mairs’ 51 assists represented her second-highest total as a collegian.

Not to be outdone, the Scarlet and Black limited the Cougars to .184 thanks in part to Zara Stewart, who led all players with 16 digs, while Nazare Judd provided ample support along the back row as well with a season-high 11 scoops.

The Aztecs maintained a 14-10 edge in kills during the opening set, including five by Bentley (.667), who committed just one error in six swings, while Schabort put away four shots of her own. In addition, Mairs and Austin served up two aces apiece to help keep the Cougars at bay.

Save for two ties, SDSU led throughout, vaulting in front for good at 11-9 thanks to consecutive WSU attack errors. Moments later, Austin twirled an ace, while Bentley followed with a kill to give the host school a 15-11 advantage at the media timeout.

The Cougars trimmed the margin to 16-14 on an errant Aztec attack but could not narrow the gap further, as Tessa Schouten and Haylee Brown launched consecutive put-aways to spark a timely 9-3 closing run. SDSU received two late kills from Schabort and Austin, followed by a Mairs service ace, while Bentley’s hot smash provided the clinching point.

The Aztecs posted their highest hitting percentage of the match with a .464 efficiency in the second stanza, flooring 14 shots in 28 attempts with just one error, while the Cougars were limited to a paltry .034 clip, knocking down seven non-returnables against six errors in 29 swings. Austin took center stage during the set, blasting eight kills in nine attempts without an error for a blistering .889 hitting percentage, while Schabort and  Bentley assisted on three blocks apiece.

After the WSU pulled to within three at 10-7 following a kill by Eliana Ti’a, San Diego State seized complete control, closing with a strong 15-6 run to capture the set going away. Along with a Judd service ace, the Aztecs received four kills from Austin down the stretch, while Bentley combined on a block with Annelise Rising, who launched a non-returnable shot moments later for the clinching point.

With the Aztecs looking to complete a sweep, the match turned into a see-saw affair in the third set, as each side knocked down 15 kills. Austin continued her hot hitting with six kills, while Schabort put away five shots and assisted on two blocks, teaming up with a Schouten one rejection that gave the host school a seemingly comfortable 17-12 cushion.

The Cougars would not go quietly, however, unleashing a sudden 6-1 blitz to tie the score at 18-18. Kryssa Moerman sparked the run with three kills, while Mary Healy and Whitney Dewicki each knocked down a shot, along with a Madyn Cervellera service ace.

The Aztecs appeared to regain the momentum, as Schouten blasted a kill, while Austin followed with consecutive put-aways to give the Scarlet and Black a 21-18 advantage.

The Cougars kept battling, though, crafting a 7-2 run to escape with the set and extend the match. Healy sparked the outburst with two kills and Dewicki served up a pair of aces, while Healy joined forces with Naomi White on a block. Austin’s termination cut the margin to 24-23, but Audrey Hollis followed with a quick kill to dash SDSU’s comeback hopes.

Undaunted, the Aztecs went back to work in the fourth frame, where Austin led a balanced attack with four kills, while Schabort and Brown knocked down three apiece.

Past the midway mark of the set, SDSU found itself in familiar territory, building a 17-13 lead after a Schabort service ace. The Aztecs maintained the upper hand down the stretch, as freshman Logan Cary launched her first career kill off an assist by fellow classmate Stephanie Gonzalez, who just entered her first collegiate match moments earlier, giving SDSU a 23-19 advantage.

WSU threw in one last scare, pulling to within 23-21 after consecutive put-aways by Healy. However, the teams traded kills down the stretch, with Schabort and Brown providing the final two points for the Scarlet and Black, respectively, much to the delight of the Aztec faithful.

Healy led the Cougars with nine kills on the day, while Cervellera and Dewicki finished with seven apiece. In addition, Kambree Rodriguez posted a team high 14 digs, while White topped the squad with four block assists in the loss.

San Diego State wraps up its homestand next week when it plays host to Fresno State on Thursday, Nov. 5, starting at 6 p.m. PT.