HONORS
2023 All-Mountain West Selection
2023 Mountain West All-Academic Selection
2023 CSC Academic All-District Team
2022 Big East All-Freshman Team (DePaul)
Big East Freshman of the Week (Sept. 12, 2022 - DePaul)
2023 SEASON (As A Sophomore): Made a huge splash in her first season on The Mesa, earning first-team all-Mountain West honors… Was the lone Aztec to start all 29 matches, averaging a team-best 3.12 kills per set while launching 334 kills overall… Ranked fifth in the conference with 0.35 service aces per set and 37 for the season… Also occupied the third spot on the squad with 38 blocks (0.36/set) and contributed 56 digs (0.52/set)… Eclipsed the double-digit kill barrier in 20 matches, including 16 of her final 17 starts… Hit over .300 on nine occasions… Blasted a career-high 31 kills vs. Air Force, which marked the third-best total in the Mountain West during the 2023 campaign (10-5-23)… Also posted a season-high .481 clip against the Falcons, with her kill total representing a school record in the rally scoring era (since 2001)… Additionally, her 31 put-aways in that match was the most by an SDSU player since Martina Vitkova-Engels (37) and Carrie Mapes (33) combined for 70 non-returnables in the Aztecs' five-set triumph over Wyoming in the first round of the Western Athletic Conference tournament during the sideout era on Nov. 25, 1997… Made her Scarlet and Black debut in a 3-1 season-opening triumph over Cal State Fullerton at the Hotel Vance Rose City Showdown in Portland, Oregon, blasting 14 kills on 25 attempts with just five errors for a .360 efficiency (8-25-23)… Served up a career-high five aces in a pair of victories over Denver (9-8-23) and Eastern Washington (9-16-23), which was tied for the sixth-best output in the conference last season… Finished sixth in the Mountain West with 3.38 kills and 3.88 points per set against conference foes during the regular season… Racked up 15 kills on a .338 clip at Wyoming, adding two blocks and a pair of aces to help the Aztecs defeat the Cowgirls on the road for the second year in a row (9-30-23)… Compiled 21 kills on a .318 efficiency in a tough five-set loss at eventual MW tournament champion Fresno State, where she tied her career high with four blocks, including two solo stops (10-12-23)… Paced the Scarlet and Black with 13 kills (.370) and tied for the team lead with three blocks, including a solo stuff in SDSU’s four-set home victory over Boise State (10-19-23)… Set a season high with seven digs at New Mexico while contributing 11 kills and two block assists (10-26-23)… Knocked down 11 kills (.310) and served up three aces in a rematch with Fresno State at home (11-4-23)… Tied for match-honors with 14 kills and notched three additional aces in the season finale vs. UNLV (11-18-23)… Earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors… Also received Mountain West all-academic distinction.
2022 SEASON (As a Freshman at DePaul): Played in 107 sets across 26 matches during her lone season with the Blue Demons … Earned a spot on the Big East all-freshman team after ranking third on the team with 264 kills (2.47/set) while occupying the sixth spot with 36 blocks (0.34/set) … Also contributed 78 digs (0.73/set) and nine services aces (0.08/set) … Surpassed the double-digit kill plateau on 13 occasions, launching a career-high 18 put-aways (.351) at Seton Hall (10-7-22) … Garnered Big East Freshman of the Week accolades after posting double-digit kills (3.33/set) in a trio of four-set victories at the DePaul Invitational where she also hit a collective .326 and totaled six block assists, leading the Blue Demons to the tournament crown … Opened the event with 16 kills (.353) and three block assists vs. Virginia Tech (9-9-22) … Hit .387 with 14 kills on 31 attempts with just two errors against Eastern Michigan, adding two blocks, including a solo stop (9-10-22) … Came back with 10 kills and a season-high four block assists in the weekend finale vs. Saint Louis (9-10-22), securing a place on the DePaul Invite’s all-tournament team … Recorded a season-best .526 hitting percentage, blasting 10 kills on 19 swings without an error, helping DePaul to a 3-1 victory over Loyola Chicago (9-17-22) … Compiled her second-highest kill total of the year with 17 put-aways vs. Butler (9-23-22) … Knocked down 15 kills on 28 attempts with just two errors for a .464 efficiency in a 3-1 triumph over Providence (9-30-22) … Notched 15 kills and seven digs at St. Johns (10-8-22) … Served up a season-best two aces and contributed five kills at Creighton (10-16-22) … Racked up five kills, two block assists and a season-high 11 digs vs. Marquette (10-26-22).
HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated in 2022 from Norco (Calif.) High School where she averaged 3.0 kills per set and hit .357 with 47 blocks in two full varsity seasons, according to MaxPreps … Twice landed on PrepVolleyball’s Top 50 Watch List for the class of 2022 … Also appeared on the 2020 AVCA Phenom List as well as the 2021 Junior Volleyball Association (JVA) Ultra Ankle Watch List … Averaged 3.4 kills per set (233 overall) and posted a .423 hitting percentage to go with 41 service aces during her senior campaign in 2021 to earn first-team all-conference honors … Set a school record with 30 kills in Norco High’s 3-2 victory over Riverside King (10-11-21) … Also received all-tournament distinction at the Tesoro Championships and Mountain View Invitational that season … Was named the Cougars’ offensive MVP as a sophomore in 2019 after contributing to a Norco High squad that captured Big VIII Conference and CIF Southern Section Division IV championships, helping the team qualify for the CIF state tournament … Garnered her school’s Academic Excellence Award for Honors with Distinction on three occasions … Was also named to the President’s Honor Roll and was a recipient of the National Junior Honor Society Scholarship Award.
PERSONAL: Born in Newport Beach, California … Parents are Mark and Malissa Underwood … Hails from an athletic family … Her father played college basketball at Cal State Fullerton, while her mother competed in soccer at Chapman University … Lists Kathryn Plummer and Kendall Kip as her favorite volleyball athletes … Enjoys reading … Majoring in psychology at SDSU with career plans to become a behavioral analyst.
Taylor Underwood Season 2024
#10Aztecs Set to Host New Mexico, Air Force in Final Home Matches
The San Diego State volleyball team wraps up its 2024 regular-season schedule with a pair of home matches this week, batting New Mexico (Nov. 21) and Air Force (Nov. 23) inside Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.
Aztecs Gear Up For Road Matches at Nevada, Utah State
The San Diego State volleyball team makes its final road trip of the regular season this weekend when it takes on Nevada (Nov. 14) and Utah State (Nov. 16) in a pair of pivotal Mountain West matches.
Aztecs Celebrate Mark Warner Day with Four-Set Victory over Spartans
The San Diego State volleyball team completed an unblemished weekend homestand Saturday with a four-set triumph over San José State (25-18, 25-22, 23-25, 25-19) in a Mountain West clash inside a boisterous Aztec Court at Peterson Gym to highlight the team’s alumni reunion festivities.
Total Team Effort Propels Aztecs Past Fresno State in Five Sets
The San Diego State volleyball team received double-digit kills from five players in a dramatic five-set victory over Fresno State (25-16, 22-25, 25-18, 20-25, 15-10) Thursday in a Mountain West clash on Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.
Aztecs Open Two-Match Homestand This Week
After splitting two road matches, San Diego State returns home this week to face Fresno State (Nov. 7) and San José State (Nov. 9) in a pair of key Mountain West encounters on Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.
Aztecs Fall in Three Sets at Colorado State
The San Diego State volleyball team kept the score close the first two sets of Saturday’s Mountain West showdown at first-place Colorado State but was unable to extend the match, ultimately dropping a tough 3-0 decision (25-27, 21-25, 14-25) inside Moby Arena.
Aztecs Complete Season Sweep of Wyoming With Another 3-0 Triumph
The San Diego State volleyball team recorded its second straight sweep of Wyoming with a three-set blanking (25-20, 25-17, 25-21) Thursday in a Mountain West match at UniWyo Sports Complex in Laramie, Wyoming.
Aztecs Set For Road Tests at Wyoming, Colorado State
The San Diego State volleyball team continues its road swing this weekend when it travels to the Front Range of the Rockies to battle Wyoming (Oct. 31) and Colorado State (Nov. 2) in a pair of key Mountain West matches.
Aztecs Fall in Grueling Five-Set Match at Boise State
The San Diego State volleyball team had its three-match winning streak snapped in a tough five-set loss to Boise State (24-26, 25-22, 22-25, 25-23, 15-17) in a Mountain West clash Thursday at Bronco Gym in Boise, Idaho.
Aztecs Set for Thursday Night Battle at Boise State
The San Diego State volleyball team opens the second half of its Mountain West regular-season schedule on Thursday, Oct. 24, when it hits the road to face Boise State in a key conference matchup at Bronco Gym in Boise, Idaho. First serve is set for 6 p.m. MT/5 p.m. PT.
Aztecs Stymie UNLV in Four Sets on Tuesday
The Mountain West’s Tuesday Night Block Party volleyball promotion lived up to its billing, as host San Diego State registered a four-set triumph over UNLV (25-19, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19) in a key conference match on Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.
Aztecs Prep for Tuesday Night Block Party vs. UNLV
Winners of two straight and four of its last five, the San Diego State volleyball team wraps up its three-match homestand Oct. 22, when it squares off against UNLV as part of the Mountain West's Tuesday Night Block Party promotion.
Aztecs Blank Wyoming for Second Straight Win
The San Diego State volleyball team completed its sixth sweep of the 2024 campaign Saturday with a 3-0 whitewash of Wyoming (25-23, 25-16, 25-19) in a Mountain West showdown inside Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.
Aztecs Complete Reverse Sweep in Thriller Over Colorado State
Bolstered by Talea Mitchell’s career-high 24 kills, the San Diego State volleyball team engineered a reverse sweep of Colorado State on Thursday, winning a five-set thriller (19-25, 23-25, 25-21, 25-20, 15-11) in a Mountain West clash inside Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.
Aztecs Set for Key MW Matches vs Colorado State, Wyoming This Week
After splitting two road matches, San Diego State returns home this week to face Colorado State (Oct. 17) and Wyoming (Oct. 19) in a pair of key Mountain West showdowns on Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.
Aztecs Fall in Tough Five-Set Battle at Fresno State
Despite double-digit kill totals from five players, the San Diego State volleyball team squandered a 2-1 lead in sets on Saturday, dropping a hard-fought 3-2 decision to Fresno State (18-25, 25-21, 25-23, 21-25, 12-15) in a Mountain West clash in Fresno, California.
Aztecs Defeat SJSU to Complete Second Straight Sweep
The visiting San Diego State volleyball team recorded its second straight sweep Thursday with a 3-0 whitewash of San José State (25-21, 25-18, 25-19) in a Mountain West clash at Spartan Gym in San Jose, California.
Aztecs Set for Key MW Road Swing This Week
Following a brief two-match homestand, San Diego State hits the road this week for a pair of Mountain West showdowns, squaring off against San José State (Oct. 10) and Fresno State (Oct. 12).
Aztecs Rebound with Home Sweep of Nevada
The San Diego State volleyball team snapped a two-match losing streak Saturday with a much-needed three-set triumph over Nevada (25-22, 25-20, 25-15) in a Mountain West clash on Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.
Aztecs Unable to Withstand Utah State Comeback in Five-Set Defeat
The San Diego State volleyball team suffered its second straight five-set defeat on Thursday after falling to Utah State (25-21, 25-23, 25-27, 18-25, 13-15) in a Mountain West match inside Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.
Aztecs Return Home to Face Utah State, Nevada
After a six-match road swing over the last three weeks, San Diego State opens the home portion of its Mountain West schedule when the Aztecs battle Utah State (Thursday) and Nevada (Saturday) inside Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.
Aztecs Drop Heartbreaker at New Mexico
The San Diego State volleyball team had its five-match winning streak snapped Saturday in a heart-breaking five-set loss to New Mexico (22-25, 25-27, 26-24, 25-14, 14-16) in Albuquerque, N.M.
Aztec Surge Past Air Force in MW Opener
The San Diego State volleyball team overcame a sluggish start to power past Air Force in four sets (16-25, 25-12, 25-20, 25-13) Thursday night in the Mountain West opener for both teams at the USAF Academy in Colorado.
Aztecs Prep For MW Openers at Air Force, New Mexico
San Diego State opens its 26th season of Mountain West competition this weekend when it visits Air Force (Sept. 26) and New Mexico (Sept. 28).
Gianna Bender Tabbed MW Freshman of the Week; Three Aztecs Named to All-Tourney Team
San Diego State libero Gianna Bender was named Mountain West Volleyball Freshman of the Week after helping the Aztecs to a 2-0 record at the Gonzaga Invitational. In addition, three Aztecs earned a spot on the all-tourney team following last weekend's event in Spokane, Wash.
Aztecs Outlast EWU in Five-Set Thriller
San Diego State wrapped up its non-conference slate Saturday with another gritty five-set victory, dispatching Eastern Washington (23-25, 25-19, 25-20, 21-25, 15-12) in its final encounter of the Gonzaga Invitational in Spokane, Washington.
Aztecs Escape with Five-Set Nail-Biter at Gonzaga
San Diego State needed a fifth-set rally to overcome Gonzaga’s upset bid on Friday, as the Aztecs hung on for a 3-2 triumph (25-14, 25-14, 21-25, 18-25, 15-12) in their opening match of the Gonzaga Invitational in Spokane, Washington.
Aztecs Continue Road Swing at Gonzaga Invitational This Weekend
San Diego State concludes the non-conference portion of its 2024 regular-season schedule this weekend when it returns to the Pacific Northwest for the Gonzaga Invitational, Sept. 20-21, in Spokane, Washington.
Aztecs Finish Perfect Weekend with Sweep of California Baptist
Behind Kat Cooper's career-high 10 kills, the San Diego State volleyball team completed its third sweep of the season on Saturday with a 3-0 whitewash of California Baptist (25-11, 25-22, 25-22) in Riverside, California.
Aztecs Topple UC Riverside in Four Sets
San Diego State overcame an early deficit to record a 3-1 victory over UC Riverside (23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-21) on Friday in its opening match of the CBU/UCR Challenge on the campus of California Baptist in Riverside, California.
Aztecs Set for UCR/CBU Challenge in Riverside
The San Diego State volleyball team opens a six-match road swing this weekend when it battles UC Riverside and California Baptist as part of the UCR/CBU Challenge, Sept. 13-14, in Riverside, California.
Aztecs Downed by Tulane in Narrow Four-Setter
Despite maintaining the upper hand in several statistical categories, the San Diego State volleyball team dropped a tough four-set decision to visiting Tulane (26-28, 21-25, 25-14, 24-26) in the final match of the SDSU Invitational on Saturday inside Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.
Aztecs Avoid Stumble vs. Portland State, Regroup for Five-Set Victory
The San Diego State volleyball team survived an upset bid by winless Portland State on Friday, capturing a gritty five-set triumph (25-10, 21-25, 18-25, 25-21, 15-13) in its second match of the SDSU Invitational inside Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.
Aztecs Outlast DePaul in Four Sets
The San Diego State volleyball team won its second straight on Thursday with a four-set triumph over DePaul (25-21, 20-25, 25-16, 25-22) in its opening match of the SDSU Invitational inside Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.
Aztecs Prep for SDSU Invitational
After opening the season in the Pacific Northwest last weekend, the San Diego State volleyball team returns to "America's Finest City" to host the SDSU Invitational, Sept. 5-7, inside Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.
Three Aztecs Net All-Tournament Honors at Idaho State Event
San Diego State volleyball players Shea Rubright, Gianna Bender and Taylor Underwood were named to the all-Idaho State Tournament team after helping the Aztecs to a 2-1 record at the season-opening event, held Aug. 30-Sept. 1 in Pocatello, Idaho.
Aztecs Blank Seattle to Wrap Up ISU Tourney
San Diego State rebounded from a disappointing loss with a convincing three-set victory over Seattle University (25-18, 25-16, 25-14) on Sunday in its final match of the Idaho State Tournament in Pocatello, Idaho
Aztecs Drop Five-Setter to CSUN at ISU Tourney
Fresh off a season-opening victory, San Diego State 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 in Pocatello, Idaho.
Aztecs Sweep Idaho State in 2024 Season Opener
San Diego State opened its 2024 campaign in style Friday with a 3-0 sweep of host Idaho State (25-22, 25-23, 25-18) in the Aztecs’ first match of the ISU Tournament in Pocatello, Idaho
Aztecs to Open 2024 Schedule at ISU Tournament
San Diego State opens its highly anticipated 2024 season this weekend when it travels to the Gateway of the Northwest for the Idaho State Tournament, Aug. 30-Sept. 1, in Pocatello Idaho. The Aztecs will face ISU, CSUN and Seattle on successive days.
Aztecs Set for Home Exhibition vs. UC San Diego
San Diego State opens its 2024 campaign on Saturday when it plays host to crosstown adversary UC San Diego in an exhibition match, starting at 5 p.m. on Aztec Court at Peterson Gym. Admission is free.
Taylor Underwood Earns Preseason All-MW Honors
San Diego State junior Taylor Underwood was named to the seven-player All-Mountain West preseason volleyball team on Wednesday in a vote of the league’s 11 head coaches.
75 Aztecs Named Mountain West Scholar-Athletes
San Diego State had 75 student-athletes named Mountain West Scholar-Athletes, the Mountain West Conference office announced from Colorado Springs, Colorado on Wednesday afternoon.
Aztecs Reveal 2024 Schedule
Taylor Underwood Earns All-MW Honors
Aztecs Drop Senior Day Match to UNLV
Aztecs Upended at SJSU in Four Sets
Aztecs Toppled by Wyoming in Four Sets
Aztecs Fall to Fresno State in Four Sets
Aztecs Sweep Nevada on Alumni Night
Aztecs Toppled in Four Sets at Nevada
Aztecs Fall to New Mexico in Four Sets
Aztecs Surge Past Wyoming in Four Sets
Aztecs Continue MW Slate at CSU, Wyoming
Aztecs Rally Past Spartans in Four Sets
Aztecs Race Past Denver in Three Sets
Aztecs End Slide with Sweep at UCSD
Aztecs Set to Host SDSU Invitational
Aztec Volleyball Unveils 2023 Schedule