SDSU VOLLEYBALL RALLIES TO DEFEAT UTAH STATE IN FIVE SETS

Aztecs overcome 0-2 deficit in sets for the first time in 15 matches

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

March 13, 2021 (San Diego) -  The San Diego State volleyball team overcame a two-set deficit on Friday to defeat Utah State in dramatic fashion, 3-2, (19-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-19, 15-7) in a match that was played at Jenny Craig Pavilion due to water damage from a roof leak at SDSU’s Peterson Gym the previous day.

With the victory, the Aztecs (4-8, 4-8 MW) snap a five-match losing streak and emerged triumphant after trailing 0-2 in sets for the first time in 15 encounters dating back to Sept. 6, 2019, when they rallied to beat West Virginia at home.

Individually SDSU shared the offensive wealth on Friday, with four players surpassing the double-digit kill plateau, including Victoria O’Sullivan and Nya Blair, who launched 12 put-aways apiece, while Andrea Walker and Heipua Tautua’a finished with 11 each.

Tautua’a registered her first collegiate double-double after posting 11 digs as well, while Walker hit at crisp .529 pace, committing just two errors on 17 attempts. Not to be outdone, Lauren Lee anchored an exceptional defensive effort with a career-high 26 digs, while Ashley Vanderpan and Kennedy Feuerborn split the setting duties, handing out 23 assists apiece.

Despite trailing in team blocks (8.0-6.0), the Aztecs maintained the statistical advantage in kills (57-50) and digs (65-51) and assists (53-46).

The two sides netted seven aces apiece but still combined for a whopping 30 service errors, including 17 by the Aggies (2-7, 2-7 MW). However, the Scarlet and Black offset that inconsistency by hitting .321 over the final three sets to spark its comeback.

The teams combined for 10 ties and four lead changes early in the third set, as USU looked to complete its second straight sweep.  With the score knotted at 11-11, however, SDSU breathed new life into the match after fashioning a 9-3 run to take the lead for good.  Four different Aztecs knocked down kills during that stretch, including two by Tautua’a, while Brooklynn Hill served up a pair of aces to help give SDSU a 20-14 advantage.

The Aggies could not draw closer that four points the rest of the way, as Gillcrist launched a non-returnable for the clinching point after O’Sullivan floored a couple of shots as well down the stretch.

The Aztecs hit .400 for the set, totaling 13 kills with just one error on 30 swings while benefiting from five USU service errors.

SDSU maintained the upper hand for much of the fourth stanza, as another O’Sullivan put-away and a Hill service ace broke a 4-4 deadlock, putting the host school ahead to stay. The Aggies remained within striking distance, narrowing the gap to 15-12 after an Abby Peterson ace. However, the USU libero’s next serve went awry, while Tautua’a followed with a pair of kills, sandwiched around a Gillcrist non-returnable, which suddenly extended the Aztec lead to an insurmountable 19-12 margin.

USU responded with a 5-1 surge to pull within 20-17 following two kills apiece by Whitney Solosabal-Parks and Tatum Stall, respectively. However, consecutive put-aways by Walker helped keep the Aggies at bay, while Gillcrist and Feuerborn combined on a block to secure the set after O’Sullivan joined forces with Walker for a stuff at the net.

Despite posting more kills (13-11) in the fourth stanza, USU self-destructed once again with five service errors during that stretch.

The Aggies untimely serving woes continued in the decisive fifth set, where they committed four more errors while launching just three kills. Still, the two teams were tied at 4-4 following a put-away by USU’s Stall. However, SDSU seized command with an 11-3 closing run, highlighted by two kills each from Tautua’a and Blair, while Lee and Hill contributed service aces. Blair’s final kill iced the match for the Scarlet and Black and gave her a new career-best in the process.

Stall and Bailey Downing tied for match-high honors with 14 kills apiece, while Autumn Spafford led all players with seven blocks, including two solo stuffs. In addition, Peterson scooped up 22 digs in the loss.

SDSU hit just .138 over the first two sets, combining for 25 kills on 65 swings with 16 errors. Still, the Aztecs trailed by just one in the opening frame at 22-21 after a Tautua’a kill. However, USU reeled off three straight points to escape with the set.

In the second stanza, SDSU fashioned a 17-11 lead after a Feuerborn kill, but the Aggies answered with an impressive 14-6 closing  run, fueled by three put-aways each by Downing and Stall, while Spafford combined with Downing and Solosabal-Parks for a pair of blocks.

Stung, the Aztecs cleaned up their attack, setting the stage for their dramatic comeback.

San Diego State will hit the road for the next two weekends, traveling to Boise State (March 20) and San José State (March 27) for single matches.

Box