The University of Nevada, Reno was no match for the San Diego State volleyball team in the conference home-opener Saturday night on the Aztec Court. The Aztecs began the night by unveiling the 2012 Mountain West Conference Championship banner and ended it by downing the Wolf Pack in three sets 25-15, 25-18, 25-13.
The early stages of the first set saw the two teams rallying back and forth in an equal contest. But six unanswered points from the Aztecs was too much for the Wolf Pack, and SDSU went on to win the set 25-15.
The Aztecs took the second set in a score of 25-18 in a contest much like the first. With a five-point lead, SDSU scored five straight points to take the lead to 16-6. The final set saw the Aztecs take control again, finishing the set 12 points clear of Nevada in a score of 25-13.
Junior outside hitter Michelle Waber led both teams in kills with 12 and was the only player to reach double figures in the match. Waber also contributed three blocks and a dig.
Senior libero Courtney Vaccarello had a game-high 13 digs, while senior middle blocker Emily Harris recorded the highest number of blocks with six. Senior setter Johnna Fouch and junior setter Chloe Mathis each saw time on the court contributing 25 and 12 assists respectively.
As a team, the Aztecs had a .345 hitting percentage, while holding the Wolf Pack to a .033 hitting percentage. SDSU had a total of 41 kills and 11 errors compared to Nevada’s 25 kills and 22 errors.
Head coach Deitre Collins-Parker introduced a new offensive system for the match, having three hitters on the floor at all times.
[quote]“This is our first game running this system and it’s good to look good like this,” Collins-Parker said. “Looking at (the stats) we had a very balanced production and that was really important. Obviously it’s nice to have a convincing win like that, but it’s more important that we offensively got better.”[/quote]
The Aztecs conference record now sits at 1-1 and they are 6-6 overall. SDSU will continue at home this weekend against Fresno State and San Jose State universities.
[quote]“It’s a tough weekend,” Collins-Parker said. “Fresno is playing really well and we will just continue to hone this offensive system. To be able to run a balanced offense, I think that will make it tougher on our opponents.”[/quote]
Photo by Jorden Owen, Senior Staff Photographer
