By Aidan Bostic (@bostic_aidan) – Spear Reporter
San Jose State volleyball (5-3, 0-0 MW) played New Mexico State (6-4, 0-0 WAC) at the Trojan Challenge on Friday, where they won, 3-0.
The Spartans are coming off two losses in Los Angeles last weekend, so it is a welcome sign to get their first win in Southern California this season.
SJSU volleyball had not won against New Mexico State in 23 games, dating all the way back to Sept. 20, 1994. The Spartans did not only beat the Aggies for the first time in nearly three decades, but they dominated the match.
The first set was highly contested, and no team was able to pull away. Despite holding a narrow lead for most of the set, both teams were deadlocked at 23 apiece.
An explosive kill from senior outside hitter Amethyst Harper gave SJSU a 24-23 lead. Sophomore middle blocker Brooke Bryant would follow this up with a clutch block to secure the set win, 25-23. Harper had six kills in the first set alone and she was coming for blood.
The second set was all SJSU, who took a massive 10-point lead behind some amazing play all-around. With a 20-10 lead, the Spartans would go on to score five-straight points to win the set 25-10.
In the third and final set, the Spartans were anything but merciful. Harper continued to strike the ball down like Thor with Mjölnir, leaving Aggies sprawled out across the hardwood. The Spartans would go on to win the set, 25-10, and win their first game in Los Angeles.
Harper was the game’s kill leader with 16 kills on .652% hitting. Every kill of hers was capped off with an exclamation point and her teammates fed off her energy. Redshirt sophomore Blaire Fleming had 10 kills of her own to push SJSU to their victory.
Great service from senior setter Mia Schafer made it impossible for the Aggies to fight back. SJSU would finish the game with 14 service aces.
No players on either team were born the last time that SJSU beat New Mexico State and the win was nothing short of dominant. Hopefully, the team can carry its momentum into their next two games of the weekend.
SJSU volleyball plays Milwaukee in its second game at the Trojan Challenge on Sept. 17 at 6:00 p.m.