San Jose State’s volleyball team beat San Diego State 3-0 with a nerve-racking last-minute play Saturday afternoon at the Spartan Gym located in Yoshihiro Uchida Hall.
A total of 325 fans watched the Spartans win their fourth game in a row, making it the longest streak of the season.
Even though the Aztecs began the game with great defense and a lead, the Spartans didn’t let it hinder their confidence.
With the first set tied at 19, opposite and outside hitter Haylee Nelson led the Spartans to victory with 10 kills as they won 25-20.
“I do not come into the matches expecting to win,” head coach Trent Kersten said. “I know there are a lot of good teams out there and if there is a victory, we are going to have to earn it.”
During Set 2, an error cost the Spartans a point deduction, falling behind 12-11, just one point ahead of the Aztecs.
The Aztecs stepped up their game and closed the gap with a score of 15-15. However, that didn’t slow the Spartans down and soon after the team took back the lead by scoring four consecutive points.
Nelson continued to shine in the game as her 18 total kills propelled SJSU to a 21-20 victory in Set 2.
“I think San Diego State did a good job, I think they watched a lot of film and paid a lot of attention,” Nelson said. “But I think that as a team we are coming up with a strong serving, we caught a lot of teams out of guard with that.”
Spartan libero Sarah Smevog had an impressive performance on defense as she racked up a total of two assists, 12 digs and 5 service aces.
“I take a lot of pride in my defense because I want to do the best I can for my team to succeed,” Smevog said. “Our coaches do a really good job at helping us scout the other team and we all do it on our own too, but specifically we try to relax before a match, find a synchronized chemistry before we go out there.”
In Set 3 Nelson, middle blocker Ryann Thomison and outside hitter Amethyst Harper made a three-line barrier to kill an incoming play from the Aztecs, which gave the Spartans a 23-16 lead .
In the last moment of the match Harper set her fifth kill, giving SJSU the victory and a final score of 25-16 for Set 3.
The Spartan’s next match is scheduled against Boise State University in Idaho at the Bronco Gym on Sept. 30.
The next home game is scheduled on Oct. 9 against Colorado State University at the Spartan Gym located in Yoshihiro Uchida Hall.
