SAN DIEGO - San Diego State University’s volleyball team (10-6, 5-0 MW) topped the University of New Mexico (8-8, 0-5 MW) on Oct. 9 to extend their win streak to five.
The Aztecs won their first home match 3-1 (25-10, 20-25, 25-22, 25-23) at Peterson Gym for the Mountain West conference. SDSU is now tied with Utah State for the top spot in the conference standings.
SDSU started strong offensively with contributions from Natalie Hughes in the first set. Hughes had three kills and four blocks (assisted) throughout the set. The Aztecs pulled away, 16-7, then ended the first set strong with a 9-0 run, punctuated with a kill by Taylor Underwood for set point.
However, the Lobos regrouped for the second set, benefiting from ten attack errors from the Aztecs. They pulled away from the Scarlet and Black during the set to tie the sets at one each.
“Honestly, they surprised us with how well they did offensively,” said SDSU head coach Brent Hilliard.
During set three, the teams were tied at 14 apiece when the Aztecs went on a 5-0 run to grab a lead that they never relinquished, 19-14. The Lobos later followed with a 5-1 run of their own to get within one, 23-22, but the Aztecs closed out the set with a kill by Madison Corf and a UNM attack error.
Wanting to close out the match, the Aztecs were hoping for a Lobos letdown, but that did not happen. The teams were tied at 17-17, 18-18, and 19-19. The Aztecs had a mini-run of three to finally go in front for good at 22-19. Ella Schabort smashed five kills in the set. Along with Schabort, Amber Keen, Corf and Underwood each had three of their own. With a 17-13 advantage of kills in the set, SDSU was able to topple the Lobos to keep their win streak alive.
After multiple games with 10 or more kills, Underwood credits confidence and not getting into her own head to keep her going throughout the game.
Libero Zara Stewart finished the match with a team-high 26 digs, also her career high.
The Aztecs now turn their attention to UNLV to for their next match at Peterson Gym on Oct. 11 at noon. The 5-0 start to begin conference play is the team’s best ever. Game airs on the Mountain West Network. Purchase tickets here.