SDSU VOLLEYBALL FALLS IN THREE SETS AT UTAH STATES

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

October 16, 2021 (Logan, Utah) - Fresh off an impressive victory at Boise State, the San Diego State volleyball was unable to sustain its hot hitting at Utah State on Saturday, dropping a three-set decision to the Aggies (16-25, 26-28, 19-26) in a Mountain West match at Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

With the loss, the Aztecs slip to 6-14 on the year and 3-5 in conference play, while USU moves to 14-6 overall and 6-2 in the MW after posting a greater hitting percentage (.323 to .152) and maintaining the statistical advantage in kills (43-39) as well as team blocks (11.0 to 4.0). SDSU committed 11 more attack errors and were foiled by seven service aces to fall to 4-4 in Logan all-time.

The Aztecs were led by Victoria O’Sullivan and Heipua Tautua’a, who launched 10 kills apiece, while Mikela Labno floored eight shots of her own. In addition, the SDSU charge was aided by Zoi Faki, who scooped up a team-high 11 digs while contributing four kills, two aces and a pair of blocks, including a solo stuff.

Elsewhere, Noa Miller (16 assists and Ashley Vanderpan (15 assists, 8 digs) shared the setting duties, while Julia Haynie topped the squad with three block assists.

However, the Aztecs were largely unable to contend with the Aggies’ balanced attack as five players finished with seven or more kills, including Kennedi Boyd, who recorded 10 put-aways and hit .643 after committing just one error on 14 attempts. Kylee Stokes also got into the act with eight kills, while Corinne Larsen, Kristy Frank (4 block assists, 2 aces) and Tatum Stall totaled seven non-returnables apiece.

In addition, tied Boyd for match-high honors with five block assists, while Kalena Vaivai (20 assists) and Abby Peterson (16 digs) led all players in their respective statistical categories.

SDSU found itself in pursuit mode for much of the opening set, as Utah State hit .556 in that span, knocking down 16 kills on 27 swings with just one error. Conversely, the Aztecs posted a .125 efficiency in the frame, mustering 10 put-aways against six errors on 32 attempts. O’Sullivan, Tautua’a and Labno shared the individual wealth with three kills apiece for the Scarlet and Black, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a 13-5 deficit.

The second stanza was the most competitive of the day, as the teams combined for nine ties and four lead changes. SDSU logged its best hitting percentage of the match in that set, hitting at a .244 clip on 17 kills in 41 attempts with seven miscues. The Aztecs faced a series of five-point deficits, including a 15-10 spread after a kill by Stall.

SDSU caught proverbial lightning in a bottle at this juncture with a 13-4 blitz, sparked by Faki, who registered two kills, a solo block and a service ace, while Labno also figured prominently in the run with three put-aways of her own. In addition, Tautua’a exploded for a pair of kills, and after an Aggie attack error, the Aztecs were seemingly in the driver’s seat with a 23-19 lead.

However, Utah State fought itself off the ropes with a timely 9-3 outburst to escape with the set. Following an errant SDSU attack, Boyd ignited the rally with consecutive kills and joined forces with Stokes on a pair of blocks. The Aztecs staved off a pair of set points with kills by Tautua’a and O’Sullivan before the teams exchanged service errors, which made the score even at 26-26. SDSU could not gain the upper hand as the Aggies received kills by Stall and Frank for the clinching points.

Perhaps a bit stung by their misfortune, the Aztecs went cold in the third set, hitting at a .077 clip on 12 kills in 39 attempts with nine errors, six of which were the result of Aggie blocks.

Despite the inconsistency, SDSU overcame an 8-3 deficit with an 11-6 spurt to forge a 14-14 tie. Kalani Ruri came off the bench and supplied an instant spark with two kills, while Haynie floored another shot and combined with O’Sullivan and Faki on a pair of blocks to help fuel the run. However, USU seized the momentum with consecutive kills by Stokes, which ignited an 11-5 surge to close out the match. The Aggies frustrated the Aztecs with four blocks down the stretch, while Vaivai served up an ace to provide the clincher.

San Diego State returns to action on Thursday, Oct. 21, when it plays host to Colorado State on Aztec Court at Peterson Gym. First serve is set for 7 p.m. and the first 250 fans will receive a free Aztec Volleyball T-shirt.

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