San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec




San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

Spikers get the Big 20

Good college volleyball teams strive for 20 victories a season. Not many reach that win total, but the Aztecs have grown accustomed to the mark.

After a shocking start to the match, the San Diego State women’s volleyball team (20-9; 13-3 Western Athletic Conference) regrouped and defeated the San Jose State Spartans (10-19; 5-11 WAC) in San Jose, reaching that 20-win plateau and ensuring the Aztecs the third seed in the upcoming WAC Volleyball Tournament.

Saturday evening’s contest wasn’t the prettiest of matches. All season the Spartans have hovered around the bottom of the WAC’s Pacific Division, but they somehow found a way to get everything out of SDSU in the four-set match (12-15, 15-7, 15-12, 15-6).

Surprisingly, the Aztecs fell in the opening set of the match. Ultimately, the first-set loss came down to errors. While the Spartans managed only six errors, SDSU tallied 12. Errors and inconsistency have been the downfall for the Aztecs this season, but they have been better with their consistency of late.

SDSU rebounded in the next three games, eliminating any chance of a Spartan upset. With victory in sight, the Aztecs meticulously went to work, taking advantage of Spartan mistakes.

The Aztecs’ “Legion of Doom” front line was unstoppable, collecting 49 kills on the evening. All-WAC performer Martina Vitkova led the way with 18 kills, with seniors Juliana Cezar and Ginger Ernest recording 16 and 15, respectively.

Also contributing to the SDSU victory were seniors Michelle Pistone and Jennifer Whitley. Pistone recorded 58 assists, and Whitley connected on eight kills. The Spartans also had no answers when it came to junior Carrie Mapes. Mapes, who came off the bench for the Aztecs, recorded 13 kills and nine digs.

“It is beneficial to get a good performance from the middle,” SDSU assistant coach Jon McDonald said. “They played above average and with more confidence.”

The Aztecs begin their postseason play next week in the WAC Volleyball Tournament in Las Vegas. With victories in their last six games and 20 victories for the season, SDSU has assured a No. 3 seed in the upcoming tournament.

“We know what to expect,” McDonald said. “We are looking to give everybody playing time in the upcoming tournament.”

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San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
Spikers get the Big 20