San Jose, Calif.—The Spartans took the Mountain West champion to five sets for just the fourth time this season, but San José State could not overtake #11 Colorado State in a 3-2 loss at Spartan Gym Thursday night.
Three Spartans had double-doubles in the match, and four players recorded 10 or more kills for SJSU. Makayla Lewis and Fernanda Vido led the Spartans in kills with 13 each, and both had double-doubles. Lewis recorded a season-best 16 digs in her second double-double of the year. Vido added 12 digs for her fifth double-double of the season and 17th of her career.
Kaitlynn Zdroik recorded her fourth double-double of the season and fifth of her career with 26 assists and 10 digs.
Latahevai Lousi smashed 12 kills as she hit .333 and added four blocks for the match, two solo and two assists. Haylee Nelson added 10 kills, four digs and three blocks, two solo and one assist.
Sarah Smevog led the team with 20 digs, and she, Lewis and Vido each had two service aces.
On paper, this match should not have been this close. Colorado State dominates SJSU in most stat categories, but sometimes what is on paper does not translate to the court. The Spartans outhit the Rams, .247-.245, and outblocked them 11-9.
Set 1: The Spartans shocked the Rams with a 25-18 win, breaking CSU's 17-set winning streak. They had not lost a set since October 29 against Wyoming when they lost the second set 25-23. San José State trailed 10-7 before scoring the next four points to lead 11-10 and never look back.
Set 2 & 3: The next two sets went to Colorado State, 25-17 and 25-22. The Rams hit .329 for those two sets, compared to .179 for the Spartans.
Set 4: Colorado State jumped out to an early 10-7 lead, just like the first set. The Spartans chipped away at the lead and took a 13-12 lead and led 15-12 on a Haylee Nelson solo block at the media timeout. A Spartan service error allowed CSU to get within two at 15-13 before the team rebounded to expand the lead and win 25-17.
Set 5: The Spartans scored the first point of the set on a Lousi kill before CSU scored the next four points and force an SJSU timeout. The Spartans tied the set four times (5-5, 6-6, 7-7, 8-8) before the Rams scored four straight points to open up the set to 12-8 and won 15-11.
"Tonight we brought fight, attitude and pressure to the match," said Spartan head coach Jolene Shepardson. "We have beaten Colorado State in the past at Spartan Gym and knew we could play with them here. I am proud of this team pushing through, going for it and not backing down during the match. We need to bring this same attitude and pressure on Saturday."
The Spartans finish the 2019 season with a home match this Saturday against Wyoming beginning at 2 p.m., inside Spartan Gym. The Spartan seniors will be honored after playing in their final home match.
#11 Colorado State def. San José State 3-2 (18-25, 25-17, 25-22, 17-25, 15-11).
Kills – CS – Kirstie Hillyer 21; SJSU – Makayla Lewis, Fernanda Vido 13.
Records – Colorado State 27-1, 17-0; San José State 10-18, 5-12.
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