Freshman setter Johnna Fouch has been a good surprise for the San Diego State volleyball team this year.

Entering this season, the San Diego State volleyball team thought its starting setter would be returning. But then Lauren Van Orden transferred to UCLA.

So SDSU faced a huge dilemma. But luckily for the Aztecs, a player who had originally committed to Cal State Northridge changed her mind.

“I loved the school and the campus,” freshman setter Johnna Fouch said of SDSU. “I wasn’t getting looked at by (head coach) Deitre (Collins-Parker), but the whole staff made me feel welcome and the girls were great.”

Collins-Parker didn’t know Fouch would step into a starting role right away, but it became apparent that she wanted the job.

“After I heard that we didn’t have a setter, I took that upon myself to work harder and get stronger and better,” Fouch said. “And come in and do a good job for this team.”

She has done just that in her first season as an Aztec, starting in every match and leading the Mountain West Conference with an average of 10.95 assists per set.

Fouch has also recorded double-doubles on three occasions this season, against Cal State Northridge, Arizona State and UC Irvine. The first two led to victories, but the third wasn’t enough as her 40 assists and 32 digs couldn’t help SDSU in the 3-2 loss to the Anteaters.

“I definitely have a lot to work on,” Fouch said. “(But) we’ve done really great and it’s crazy “cause we’re a brand new team. No one expects us to do this good and I feel that we’re going to shock a bunch of teams out there.”

The Aztecs will have that chance when they begin MWC play against New Mexico at 7 p.m. tomorrow in Peterson Gym. SDSU (5-7) opened conference last season with a victory against UNLV, its third straight MWC-opening victory.

But it won’t be easy for the Aztecs to extend their streak. The Lobos (8-5) have won six of their last seven as well as the Hilton Garden Inn Invitational last weekend in Tampa, Fla.

New Mexico’s accomplishments can be attributed to a trio of seniors who have been starters since their freshman years. Outside hitter Lisa Meeter, setter Jade Michaelsen and middle blocker Taylor Hadfield will all surely be on SDSU’s mind, but Meeter looks to be the main focus in stopping the Lobos from succeeding on offense.

“We’re going to work extra hard on the things that we need to get better at (in practice this week),” Fouch said. “New Mexico isn’t going to be ready for us, we’re going to come out and fight stronger.”