The San Diego State volleyball team didn’t drop a single set last weekend, claiming victories at home against the U.S. Air Force Academy and the University of New Mexico in three sets. The Aztecs move to 7-5 in conference play.
[quote]“This week we played together as a team,” senior outside hitter Raegan Shelton said. “We came out fighting and worked hard while playing as one, so we ended up with two more great wins.”[/quote]
A strong offensive effort helped the Aztecs to clinch the win against Air Force on Thursday night in set scores of 25-19, 25-20 and 25-22.
All three sets followed a similar pattern, with the Falcons taking an early lead before the Aztecs chipped away and took the lead for good to finish on top in each of the sets.
Four SDSU starters recorded attack percentages of .333 or higher to give the Aztecs a season-high team hitting average of .380, while holding Air Force to a mark of just .125.
Senior middle blocker Emily Harris led the offense, finishing with 11 kills, five blocks and a season-high hitting mark of .667. Defensively, sophomore middle blocker Kaja Sandberg led the Aztecs, recording eight blocks and a hitting average of .417.
SDSU returned to Aztec Court two days later to defeat New Mexico with set scores of 29-27, 25-17 and 28-26 for their third straight win.
The Aztecs stormed to a quick lead in the first set. But after stretching the lead to 23-18, a 7-2 run by the Lobos tied the set at 25. The teams rallied back and forth until three straight points from the Aztecs finished up the set.
New Mexico couldn’t catch SDSU in the second set as the Aztecs stretched the lead to as many as 12 points en-route to their 25-17 win.
The third set was another close affair. The Aztecs found themselves down four points, but reeled off a 7-1 run to take the lead for the first time in the set at 9-8. SDSU looked to take the set until four straight points from the Lobos put them ahead at 24-25. After switching off points, a third straight kill from Shelton and an attack error by the Lobos ensured the Aztec victory.
Shelton finished the match with 15 kills and one block. Senior outside hitter Summer Nash also reached double figures in kills with 12, while senior setter Johnna Fouch recorded 29 assists, two service aces and a pair of digs. Junior defensive specialist Christie Ring recorded a team-high 12 digs in her first start as the libero.
The Aztecs travel north this week for matches against San Jose State University on Thursday and Fresno State University on Saturday.
Photo by Jordan Owen, Senior Staff Photographer
