Aztecs Drop Five-Setter to CSUN at ISU Tourney

POCATELLO, Idaho – Fresh off a season-opening victory, the San Diego State volleyball team experienced a reversal of fortune on Saturday, dropping a hard-fought 3-2 decision to CSUN (25-19, 21-25, 14-25, 32-30, 10-15) in its second match of the Idaho State Tournament inside Reed Gym.

Trailing 2-1 in sets, the Aztecs (1-1) fought off four match points in the fourth stanza to force a fifth and deciding frame but could not complete the comeback.

SDSU maintained a slight edge in kills (68-66) and team blocks (12.0 to 10.00) but committed nine more attack errors (31-22) and six additional service errors (11-5), allowing the Matadors (1-1) to escape with the victory.

Individually, the Aztecs received double-digit kills from four players, including Taylor Underwood, who blasted a team-high 18 put-aways, while Madison Corf launched 14 non-returnables of her own.

In addition, the SDSU cause was advanced by Jasmine Davis and Shea Rubright, who finished with 13 kills apiece. Davis logged her first double-double in a Scarlet and Black uniform after posting 15 digs, trailing teammate Gianna Bender, who topped the squad with 18 scoops on the afternoon.

Not to be outdone, Amber Keen was once again a force at the net, posting a career-high seven blocks, including a solo stop, while Underwood set a collegiate-best as well with four rejections, featuring another solo effort.

Elsewhere, Villanova transfer Andrea Campos led the Aztecs with 31 assists, sharing the setter position with Fatimah Hall, who dished out 21 helpers in the loss.

However, the Aztecs were unable to contain the CSUN duo of Amaris Smith and Hailey Brockway, who combined for 45 of the team’s 66 kills. Smith led all players with 29 put-aways and hit .439 for the match, committing just four errors in 57 attempts. Meanwhile, Brockway completed a double-double after posting 16 kills and 16 digs.

In addition, setter Katie Kolar accomplished the identical feat after dishing out a match-high 50 assists to go with 13 digs, while Paige Sentes led all players with 19 scoops to anchor the Matador back row.

The teams combined for 17 ties and six lead changes in a grueling fourth set, with the Scarlet and Black prevailing by a 32-30 count to extend the match. The Aztecs maintained a precarious 19-15 lead following a Davis service ace. However, CSUN responded with a 9-4 run to reach match point.

Undaunted, the Aztecs staved off elimination thanks to consecutive kills by Davis and Corf, setting the stage for a dramatic. SDSU withstood three additional match points down the stretch, including a 30-29 spread following another Smith put-away. Moments later, the Aztecs answered with consecutive kills by Davis and Keen to end the marathon set.

The Scarlet and Black logged its best hitting percentage of the match in that stanza with a .340 clip, powering down 24 kills on 53 swings with six errors. Individually, Corf (.545) floored eight shot in the set, while Underwood (.364) totaled six in that span.

However, the Aztecs were unable to capitalize on the momentum and found themselves in pursuit mode for much of the set. A solo block by Iye Okolo and a Smith service ace gave the Matadors an insurmountable 9-4 advantage.

A 3-1 spurt by the Scarlet and Black trimmed the margin to 10-7, capped by a Davis put-away. However, CSUN netted three straight points, including a combined block by Okolo and Tatiana Turgeon and a Kolar ace that extended the Matador lead to 13-7 and the Aztecs never threatened again.

San Diego State will have little time to dwell on its defeat, as the Aztecs wrap up their season-opening excursion on Sunday with a clash against Seattle University, starting at 10 a.m. MT/9 a.m. PT. The Aztecs-Redhawks match will air live on ESPN+.