Aztecs Toppled in Four Sets at Utah State

LOGAN, Utah – The San Diego State volleyball team wrapped up its road trip on a sour note Saturday, dropping a four-set decision to Utah State (19-25, 23-25, 25-21, 19-25) in a Mountain West clash at Wayne Estes Center.

For the second straight match, the Aztecs found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard, slipping to 17-9 on the year and 9-7 in conference play.

In addition, SDSU maintains its fifth-place standing in the conference race after falling two games in back of the Aggies (14-12, 11-5 MW) and Fresno State (15-12, 11-5 MW), both of whom are tied for third heading into the final week of the regular season.  

The Aztecs owned the statistical advantage in team blocks (14.0 to 9.0) on Saturday, but it wasn’t enough, as USU held the upper hand in kills (57-47), service aces (6-5) and digs (48-36). Additionally, the Aggies out-hit SDSU .289 to .182 to help key their victory.

Individually, the Aztecs were paced by Shea Rubright and Jasmine Davis, who blasted 11 kills apiece, while Talea Mitchell and Natalie Hughes finished with seven put-aways each.

Rubright was a force at the net, totaling a match-high eight blocks, including a solo stuff, while Hughes finished with five block assists of her own. In addition, Mitchell and Amber Keen (1 solo) contributed four blocks apiece.

Elsewhere, Gianna Bender led all players with 11 digs, while Andrea Campos (21 assists) and Sarena Gonzalez, 18 assists, 2 aces) shared the customary setting responsibilities.

However, SDSU was unable to counter the Aggies’ four-pronged attack of Kaylie Ray (14), Adna Mehmedovic (13), Andrea Simovski (13) and Tierney Barlow (10), who combined for 50 of the team’s 57 kills.  

Simovski added 10 digs to complete a double-double, while Kaylie Kofe accomplished the feat as well with 43 assists and 10 scoops of her own.

The Aztecs found themselves in pursuit mode for much of the first set after trailing 10-4 on the heels of a Barlow service ace. SDSU fought itself off the proverbial ropes with an 11-7 surge to pull within two. Davis ignited the run with a kill and a joint block alongside Kat Cooper, while Gonzalez and Keira Herron each contributed an ace.

However, the Aztecs were unable to draw closer, as Utah State closed with an 8-4 rush to extinguish the visitors’ comeback hopes. Ray knocked down two kills in that span and combined with Kelsey Watson on a block, while Simovski floored two shots, including the clincher.

The second stanza was a more closely contested affair, as the teams witnessed nine ties and five lead changes. The Aggies were seemingly in the driver’s seat after Barlow joined forces with Mehmedovic and Simovski on consecutive blocks, which gave the hosts a 19-15.

SDSU answered with a 7-2 run to inch in front 22-21, benefitting from two unforced attack errors, while Hughes and Davis each launched a kill, followed by a Rubright service ace.

However, the Aztecs could not build on their advantage, as Utah State employed a 4-1 spurt to escape with the set. Ray shouldered much of the burden in that span with three kills, while Kofe secured the decisive point with an ace.

Stung, SDSU regrouped in the third frame thanks to five team blocks and three kills apiece by Davis and Rubright. The two sides combined for 11 early ties, including a 12-12 deadlock, before a Davis put-away and a joint block by Keen and Hughes vaulted the visitors in front for good. The Aztecs methodically increased their advantage to six at 23-17 courtesy of Rubright’s combined block with Davis, effectively putting the set out of reach.

SDSU was unable to carry the momentum into the fourth set, where the Aggies opened with a 7-2 run, featuring consecutive joint blocks by Watson and Mehmedovic. Shortly thereafter, the Aztecs cut the deficit to 13-10 on back-to-back kills by Hughes and Campbell Hague but could not seize the upper hand.

Hague totaled three kills in the frame along with Hughes and Rubright; however, SDSU committed five unforced attack errors and was victimized by four service aces, which sandbagged any hopes to extend the match.

San Diego State will look to right the ship with a pair of home matches next week, playing host to New Mexico on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. PT, before battling Air Force on Saturday, Nov. 23 at noon. Prior to their home finale vs. the Falcons, the Aztecs will conduct a special Senior Day ceremony.

Despite this weekend’s two losses, SDSU has already clinched a spot in the Mountain West Championship, scheduled for Nov. 27-30 in Las Vegas, Nevada.