SAN DIEGO - San Diego State’s volleyball team (13-14, 8-8 MW) was swept in conference play for the first time this season. Wyoming (15-12, 11-5 MW) overwhelmed the Aztecs, 25-14, 25-12, 25-19, on Saturday at Aztec Court in Peterson Gym.
The loss is the third straight and moves SDSU to sixth place in the Mountain West conference. The Cowgirls’ win secured their spot in the Mountain West conference tournament Nov. 26-29 in Las Vegas. The tournament takes only the top six in the standings, so the pressure is on the Aztecs to find ways to win despite setbacks.
Wyoming’s defense and serving were especially strong. The Cowgirls held the advantage in blocks, 16-5, and aces, 6-0. Early in the first set, SDSU’s offensive powerhouse Taylor Underwood went down with a possible ankle injury and didn’t return during the match. Underwood has reached double digits in kills in every game but two since August.
Mila Gehlen and Ella Schabort each had seven kills for the Aztecs. The top blockers for the Scarlet and Black were Annelise Rising and Campbell Hague with three apiece. With multiple players out with injuries, new rotations were played.
“You’re just looking for something consistent to what you’re used to seeing when you’re fully healthy,” SDSU’s head coach Brent Hilliard said about the new rotations.
The second set was especially brutal: Wyoming took an early 6-1 lead and SDSU couldn’t find a way to get within three points. The Aztecs had nine kills but 14 errors to end the set with -.128 efficiency.
With two lead changes and eight ties, the third set was closer. Schabort had five kills and Gehlen had four. However, the Cowgirls went ahead for good at 16-15 and eventually took the set and match.
“There’s stuff to play for, and I think that’ll help with the energy,” Hilliard said, referencing the possibility of getting into the Mountain West tournament.
SDSU’s last two games of their regular season are at home, Nov. 20 against San Jose State and on Nov. 22 against Fresno State, their senior day.
Both games will determine if the Aztecs will be able to play in the Mountain West tournament for a chance to bring a banner to Peterson Gym. Purchase tickets here or both games will be on the Mountain West Network.