San Jose, Calif.—After seven matches on the road, the San José State volleyball team played its first home match of the season Friday at Spartan Gym. Unfortunately, the result was not what the Spartans wanted as the team lost to Northern Colorado, 3-0, in a match that is part of the South Bay Battle.
Latahevai Lousi recorded her second consecutive double-double with 10 kills and 14 digs to lead SJSU. Kaitlynn Zdroik had her first double-double of the season with 26 kills and 12 digs. Haylee Nelson added nine kills and a team-best two service aces.
Defensivley, Makayla Lewis and Thaliana Grajeda each recorded three blocks in the match. Lewis made her first appearance of her Spartan career Friday night as she started the match and recorded five kills.
After falling 25-14 in the first set, the Spartans jumped out to an early 7-5 lead. Northern Colorado used a run to take a 12-10 lead, but San José State used a 9-3 run to take a 19-15 lead on a Bears hitting error. SJSU led 23-22 before UNC scored the last three points to win 25-23.
The third set was a battle between the two teams with 15 tie scores and 10 lead changes. The Spartans led again 23-22 before the Bears scored the final three points to win 25-23.
"We have to learn how to be more consistent in our play," said Spartan head coach Jolene Shepardson. "We had some attitude moments where we played really hard and showed what we can do. We just need to be more consistent with our attitude."
San José State finishes play in the South Bay Battle Saturday afternoon as the team hosts Marist for a 2 p.m., inside Spartan Gym, located on the corner of Fourth and San Carlos Streets. Tickets are available at the door.
South Bay Battle
Northern Colorado def. San José State 3-0 (25-14, 25-23, 25-23).
Kills – NC – Kailey Jo Ince 19; SJSU – Latahevai Lousi 10.
Records – Northern Colorado 5-3; San José State 3-5.
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