Aikman Fang (@aikmanfang) – Spear Reporter
San Jose State volleyball (13-4, 7-0 MW) stayed undefeated in conference play as it swept New Mexico (11-6, 2-5 MW) in three sets on Thursday night. For the first time since joining the Mountain West in 2013, the Spartans have won their initial seven matches in conference play.
Sophomore outside hitter Blaire Fleming led the offensive attack with 12 kills and had a .350 hit percentage.
The closest opportunity New Mexico had to winning a set was when it tied the score 23-23 at the end of the first set. SJSU would get the next two points and win 25-23 off back-to-back kills from junior outside hitter Letizia Cammillucci and Fleming respectively.
The Spartans took an early 19-9 lead over the Lobos in the second set, leading to an easy 25-13 set win.
SJSU would carry the momentum in the third set by starting off with a 17-9 lead. The Lobos would cut into the deficit, 22-18, but it would be in vain. The Spartans would finish the Lobos with a 25-18 win in the third and final set.
Reigning Mountain West defensive player of the week Sarah Smevog anchored the defense with 17 kills.
“It feels very great. . . I don’t get those digs if we’re not blocking well, I don’t get the award if we’re not winning so I’m just really proud of our team and the fight that we’ve had in conference so far,” said Smevog.
“As far as being 7-0 in conference, I think it’s awesome, I think we got to celebrate that. . . we can’t let the stress of, you know, being undefeated. . . take away from just our joy for each other and the joy for the level that we have been able to play so far in conference,” said head coach Trent Kersten.
SJSU hosts Air Force next at Yoshihiro Uchida Hall on Oct. 15 at 1 p.m.