San Luis Obispo, Calif.—Haylee Nelson led a trio of Spartan hitters who had double-digit kills to help San José State to a 3-1 win over Wichita State Thursday afternoon at the ShareSLO Mustang Challenge hosted by Cal Poly.
Nelson recorded a career-best 16 kills and hit .452 for the match (16-2-31). She added two blocks and a dig. Caitlin Bettenay and Latahevai Lousi each recorded 10 kills in the win. Bettenay added a team-best two aces and eight digs, while Lousi recorded four digs.
Two other Spartans hit .300 or better in the win – Thaliana Grajeda hit .462 with six kills on 13 attempts and no errors, and Ryann Thomison hit .308 with five kills on 13 attempts and one error. Each also had two blocks in the win.
The Spartans dominated most of the first set, taking lead at 2-1, and did not look back. The Shockers got as close as three points at 13-10 before the Spartans took control and won 25-16.
The two teams battled in the second set as Wichita State took a 12-9 lead before SJSU chipped away at the lead, scoring nine of the next 12 points to lead 21-15 and win the set 25-18.
Wichita State led from the beginning of the third set to win 25-14 and extend the match to a fourth set. In the fourth set, there were seven tie scores and three lead changes. The final change came at 11-10 on a Shocker service error, and the Spartans won 25-19.
Mamie Garard recorded her first double-double of the season and fourth of her career with 21 assists and 11 digs. Kaitlynn Zdroik added 23 assists and three digs.
Sarah Smevog recorded her first 20+ digs match of her career with 24 and added three assists and an ace. Freshman Taumafa Tuinauvai added six kills and 16 digs.
San José State looks to keep the winning streak alive, now at two match, Friday afternoon as the team faces North Texas beginning at 4 p.m.
San José State def. Wichita State 3-1 (25-16, 25-18, 14-25, 25-19).
Kills – WS – Talflinger 11; SJSU – Haylee Nelson 16.
Records – Wichita State 2-2; San José State 2-2.
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