SJSU volleyball wins 6th consecutive match, defeats Air Force in five sets
San Jose State volleyball wins 6th consecutive match, defeats Air Force in five sets
The San Jose State volleyball team won its sixth consecutive match on Saturday with a hard-fought, five-set victory over Air Force. After dropping the first set 25-21, the Spartans rallied to win the next two sets, 25-18 and 25-20. Air Force won the fourth set 25-23, but San Jose State closed out the match with a 15-10 victory in the fifth set.
Sophomore outside hitter Haylee Nelson led the Spartans with 16 kills, while senior middle blocker Laura Avila had 13 kills and six blocks. Senior setter Justina Lyman had 42 assists and 16 digs, and sophomore libero Madison Ridout had 17 digs.
Air Force is out this week during fall break while the Spartans will hit the road for the New Mexico Tournament next weekend. SJSU will open the tournament against New Mexico on Friday, Sept. 17, at 1 p.m. MT.
A look ahead to the New Mexico Tournament
The Spartans' first match of the New Mexico Tournament will be against the host team, New Mexico, on Friday, Sept. 17, at 1 p.m. MT. The Lobos are 4-3 this season, with wins over UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, George Washington, and UT Arlington. They are led by senior outside hitter Kaitlynn Biassou, who is averaging 4.33 kills per set.
Other teams in the New Mexico Tournament include:
- Texas A&M
- Marquette
- Long Beach State
The Spartans will face their toughest competition of the tournament on Saturday, Sept. 18, when they take on Texas A&M at 10 a.m. MT. The Aggies are 5-2 this season, with wins over Rice, Texas State, Houston, Stephen F. Austin, and Alabama State. They are led by senior outside hitter Hollann Hans, who is averaging 3.38 kills per set.
The Spartans will close out the tournament on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 4 p.m. MT against Marquette. The Golden Eagles are 3-4 this season, with wins over Milwaukee, Northern Illinois, and North Dakota State. They are led by senior outside hitter Taylor Louis, who is averaging 3.50 kills per set.
Outlook for the Spartans
The Spartans are off to a strong start this season with a 6-1 record and a 4-0 mark in the Mountain West Conference. They will be tested this weekend at the New Mexico Tournament, but they have the potential to make a run in the tournament and continue their winning ways.
