SDSU VOLLEYBALL TOPPLES NEW MEXICO IN THREE SETS

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 19, 2021 (San Diego) - The San Diego State volleyball team posted its second straight sweep on Friday after defeating New Mexico (25-13, 25-17, 25-20) in a Mountain West match inside Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.

For the fifth time this season, the Aztecs (2-3, 2-3 MW) were led by Victoria O’Sullivan, who blasted a match-high 13 kills and hit .346 on the evening, while Nya Blair added a career-high 10 put-aways of her own, helping the Scarlet and Black extend their winning streak to seven against Lobos in the all-time series.

The SDSU attack also included seven kills apiece from Erin Gillcrist and Heipua Tautua’a, while Ashley Vanderpan dished out a collegiate-high 38 assists and posted seven digs.

In addition, Brooklynn Hill served up a personal-best three aces, while Lauren Lee posted double-digit digs for the fourth straight outing with a team-high 11 scoops in the victory.

Despite trailing in team blocks (7.0-6.0), the Aztecs held a sizable advantage in most statistical categories, including kills (45-27), digs (39-25) and service aces (6-1) while outhitting UNM .283 to .136.

Still, SDSU found itself on the wrong side of a 7-4 tally in the opening set before seizing control with an emphatic 12-0 blitz. Hill recorded all three of her aces during that span, while Tautua’a knocked down three kills to give the hosts an insurmountable 16-7 lead.

O’Sullivan took the reins at this juncture, flooring three shots down the stretch before combined with Serena Hodson on a block for the clinching point. The Aztecs hit .393 for the frame, committing three errors in 28 swings collectively to go with 14 kills.

SDSU spread the wealth in the second stanza, as Andrea Walker launched three kills, while Blair, O’Sullivan, Gillcrist and Tautua’a had two each. The Aztecs also benefited from eight UNM attack errors and three wayward serves in the set.

San Diego State nursed a slim 15-13 lead before closing with a timely 10-4 run. Walker came up big in that span with two kills and a pair of combined blocks with Vanderpan and O’Sullivan.

The third frame was the most competitive, with the two sides witnessing 10 ties and three lead changes. O’Sullivan and Blair took center stage, totaling six kills each in the set, while Walker added three. 

With the score knotted at 19-19, the Aztecs went ahead to stay on a kill by O’Sullivan and a Blair service ace. UNM remained within striking distance, including a 23-21 spread following Caitlynn Biassou’s kill. However, SDSU dashed the Lobos’ comeback hopes with back-to-back put-aways by O’Sullivan and Tautua’a.

Biassou finished with a team-high 12 kills, while Alena Molden led all players with 12 digs in the loss.

San Diego State and New Mexico close out their weekend series at Aztec Court on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.

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