SAN JOSE, Calif. – Playing its final road match of the 2023 season, the San Diego State volleyball team was unable to produce a winning formula Thursday, falling in four sets to San José State (15-25, 25-22, 25-27, 22-25) in a Mountain West clash at Spartan Gym.
With the loss, the Aztecs dropped their fourth straight contest, tumbling to 9-19 overall and 4-13 in conference play, while the Spartans finished their season with a 13-18 record and a 4-14 mark in MW action.
SDSU received double-digit put-aways from Madison Corf (13), Taylor Underwood (12) and Heipua Tautua'a (10) but could not overcome a season-high 18 service errors despite owning a 46-44 edge in team kills and a 9-6 spread in service aces.
Conversely, SJSU survived 12 misguided serves of its own, maintaining an 11-8 advantage in team blocks while committing 10 fewer attack errors (20-30) to snap a six-match slide and even the season series at one victory apiece.
Along with the aforementioned trio, the Aztecs received a match-high five blocks from Julia Haynie, who came up with a solo rejection to go with six kills, while McKenna Douglas led all players with 16 digs. In addition, Tautua'a completed her second double-double of the year with 10 scoops of her own, matching the total of teammate Bailey Darnell.
Elsewhere, Corf and Amber Keen totaled three blocks each, while Fatimah Hall (17 assists) and Sarena Gonzalez (13 assists) shared the setting responsibilities.
The match started ominously for SDSU, which was out-hit .357 to .059 in the opening set after posting just nine kills against seven errors in 34 attempts. The Spartans also contributed to the Aztecs' woes with a 5-0 advantage in team blocks during that span.
SJSU received five kills from Blaire Fleming and another four by Brooke Bryant in the first frame, while Letizia Cammillucci served up three aces, as the host school raced to a big 22-8 lead and was never threatened.
SDSU regrouped in the second stanza, posting its best hitting percentage of the night with a .269 clip after smashing 11 kills against four errors in 26 attempts. Corf launched four non-returnables in the set and Tautua'a floored three shots, while the visitors benefited from seven wayward Spartan attacks.
Still, the Aztecs found themselves trailing 19-17 before closing with a timely 8-3 surge to even the match. Corf sparked the run with a pair of kills, joining forces on a block with Keen, who ultimately provided the clinching point with a hot smash through the heart of the SJSU defense.
Buoyed by its good fortune, SDSU seemed poised to seize control of the match, building a series of five-point leads in the third frame, including an 18-13 advantage after combined block by Haynie and Tautua'a.
The Spartans cut the margin to two points on three occasions, including a 22-20 spread following a Brooke Slusser kill. Moments later, the Aztecs responded with their own dunk shot, as Hall struck to give the Scarlet and Black a three-point cushion.
However, SJSU caught proverbial lightning in a bottle with a crucial 7-2 blitz to steal the set. Kills by Fleming, Bryant and Yasmin Pitpit ignited the run, while Slusser teamed with Jiana Lawson on a block. SDSU contributed to its own demise as well with a wayward serve and two unforced attack errors down the stretch, including one on the final serve.
The Aztecs found themselves in familiar territory during the fourth stanza when their lack of a finishing kick once again proved their undoing. With a potential fifth set on the horizon, the Scarlet and Black enjoyed a trio of five-point leads, including a 20-15 bulge following an errant Spartan attack.
However, SJSU crafted an improbable 10-2 run to extinguish SDSU's comeback hopes. The Spartans buzzed in all directions, with Cammillucci providing a pair of blocks, teaming with Pitpit on one rejection before contributing a solo stuff. Slusser also served up an ace, while Fleming knocked down two kills before Lawson floored another shot to get the hosts to match point. Almost fittingly, the Aztecs committed an attack error on the final serve to complete a frustrating night.
For the match, SJSU was paced by Fleming, who led all players with 14 kills and completed a double-double with 11 digs, while Lawson (4 blocks) and Pitpit (3 blocks) finished with seven put-aways each. In addition, Slusser dished out a match-high 28 assists and totaled three blocks, including two solo efforts, while Alessia Buffagni collected 15 digs and served up two aces.
San Diego State looks to rebound in its season finale on Saturday, Nov. 18, when it plays host to UNLV, starting at 1 p.m. PT. Prior their encounter with the Rebels, the Aztecs will hold a special Senior Day ceremony, recognizing the accomplishments of Bailey Darnell, Jordyn Goldsmith, Julia Haynie, Reagan Merk, Elly Schraeder and Heipua Tautua'a.
Aztecs Upended at SJSU in Four Sets
