San Jose, Calif.—Who is counting, but it was 441 days between matches played at Spartan Gym. That's how many days it took for the San José State volleyball team to return to campus for a true home match. There was plenty of excitement in the gym as the scrappy Spartans never gave up, but fell just short to Boise State in a 3-1 the 3-1 loss (25-22, 25-18, 21-25, 25-23).
The Spartans last match played in Spartan Gym was November 23, 2019, against Wyoming. Today's match marked 441 days or 14 months and 14 days since that match.
"This felt like home today and was a big deal today for us to be able to play in this gym," said Spartan head coach Trent Kersten. "We have a lot of people on campus to thank in making this a possibility for us. We also have to thank Boise State for being able to stay an extra night in a hotel during COVID times. I think highly of Boise State program and their staff and appreciate them giving us a chance to play today."
The Spartans came out in the set one and played right with Boise State as the two teams have five lead changes and 11 tied scores in the set. SJSU led 20-19 before the Broncos scored six of the final eight points of the set.
The second set was similar to the first in that both teams had that never-die attitude with eight lead changes and 14 tied scores. No team led by more than two for much of the set. Boise State tied the match at 17-17 and took the lead for good at 18-17, en route to a 25-18 set win.
San José State took a 6-5 lead in the third set on a Makayla Lewis kill and maintained the lead for the rest of the set. A Latahevai Lousi kill gave SJSU the 25-21 win as the team hit .481 for set three (15-2-27).
Boise State jumped out early to the lead and led 24-15 before a ball handling error by the Bronco setter gave the serve back to SJSU at 24-16. The scrappy Spartans didn't give up. Behind the serving of Sarah Smevog, San Jose State scored seven consecutive points to get the set to 24-23, before the Broncos got a kill from Jessica Donahue to win the set 25-23 and the match 3-1.
"We have a goal of playing our best volleyball every time we come out on the court. I think we 100 percent accomplished that today. We are laying the foundation to be able to have a tremendous season and are excited to have an opportunity to compete. We are taking on the identity of being a scrappy team and putting it all on the line," said Kersten.
Three Spartans had double-doubles in the match Friday. Haylee Nelson led all hitters with 19 kills and added 10 digs, while Lousi had 17 kills and 11 digs. Freshman Mia Schafer recorded her first collegiate double-double with 25 assists and 13 digs. Smevog was one assist away from a double-double with 21 digs and nine assists.
Allyson Alden led the Spartan blocking attack with five block assists and added five kills. Lewis added six kills and three blocks, while Whitney Barnes recorded five kills and two blocks.
The Spartans next matches are at Air Force on Friday and Saturday, February 12 and 13.
Boise State 3, San Jose State 1 (25-22, 25-18, 21-25, 25-23).
Kills – BS – Lauren Ohlinger 15, Kayly Pau 10; SJSU – Haylee Nelson 19, Latahevai Lousi 17.
Records – Boise State 2-0, 2-0; San Jose State 0-2, 0-2.
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