Santa Clara, Calif.—Playing in the South Bay for the first time this season, the San José State volleyball team ran into a team on a mission as the Spartans fell at Santa Clara Thursday night, 3-1.
The Spartans were looking to bring a winning momentum into the match after winning three of their past four matches. However, Santa Clara also brought a winning momentum to the match with a 6-1 record, matching the total number of wins from the 2018 season.
San José State did not have a lead in the first set, falling 25-16, and only once in set two at 7-6 before losing 25-17.
The third set was a different story as the Spartans scored the first point and led 4-1 on a Latahevai Lousi kill. SJSU maintained the lead, extending it to 12-6, before the Broncos made a 9-3 run to tie the set at 15-15. The Spartans then met the challenge and scored 10 of the final 15 points to win 25-20 on another Lousi kill.
Santa Clara jumped out to the lead in the fourth set and never let the Spartans get closer than the 2-2 tie to start. The match ended with four straight service errors by the two teams. The two teams had a combined 22 service errors in the match.
Lousi and Haylee Nelson each recorded 12 kills to lead the Spartans. Lousi had her first career double-double with 12 kills and 10 digs. Mamie Garard recorded her third double-double of the season and sixth of her career with 32 assists and a career-best 17 digs. Sarah Smevog added four digs and a team-best two aces.
The Spartans now open the home portion of the schedule on Friday, September 13, against Northern Colorado. First serve is set for 6 p.m., inside Spartan Gym, located on the corner of Fourth and San Carlos Streets. Tickets are available at the door, and the first 50 fans will receive a Spartan rally towel.
Santa Clara def. San Jose State 3-1 (25-16, 25-17, 20-25, 25-16)
Kills – SJSU – Latahevai Lousi 12, Haylee Nelson 12; SCU – Allison Kantor 11.
Records – San José State 3-4; Santa Clara 7-1.
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