SAN DIEGO - San Diego State women’s volleyball fell in their homestand opener Thursday night, dropping a competitive 3-1 match (20-25, 23-25, 26-24, 18-25) to Colorado State at Peterson Gym. The Rams, who currently sit second in the Mountain West standings, proved why they’re among the conference’s toughest teams.
The Aztecs (13-13, 8-7 MW) and Colorado State (17-8, 11-4 MW) battled in front of an energetic “Western Night” crowd. The event featured free bandanas for the first 250 attendees and lively country-themed performances from SDSU’s Dance Team.
Prior to this matchup, the Aztecs and Rams faced off last season in the Mountain West Tournament semifinals, where Colorado State also prevailed.
The Aztecs came out swinging in the first set, jumping to a 5-0 lead. However, the Rams tied it up and eventually pulled ahead. Colorado State closed the opening frame 25–20, capped by a kill from outside hitter Halle Jameson.
Colorado State’s offensive weapons, notably 6’7” middle blocker Kekua Richards and 6’3” outside hitter Riley Simpson, kept SDSU on the defensive. The Aztecs countered with strong blocking and quick adjustments off the bench, but the Rams’ balance proved decisive as they edged out the second set, 25-23..
In the third, the Aztecs showed grit. Both teams traded points late into the frame before SDSU clinched it 26-24 on a clutch closing run. San Diego State posted 17 kills in the set, their highest of the match, led by Campbell Hague, who notched six kills on six attempts and scored the Aztecs’ final three points of the set.
Despite the momentum swing, the Rams regrouped in the fourth and final set, surging ahead 25–18 to seal the victory.
Statistically, the Aztecs actually outkilled Colorado State, 58-53, but the Rams held significant advantages in blocks (17-7), aces (8-3) and hitting percentage (.294 to .200)
Four Aztecs had double-digit kills, including Hague, Ella Schabort and Madison Corf with 11 each, and Taylor Underwood with 10.
SDSU faced Wyoming at home on Saturday and lost in three sets.