Aikman Fang (@aikmanfang) – Spear Reporter
San Jose State Volleyball (15-6, 9-2 MW) lost to Air Force (10-13, 2-9 MW) in three sets in a match the Spartans were poised as heavy favorites on Thursday night. The last time these teams met the Spartans dominated in a three-set victory over the Falcons.
Air Force took a commanding 17-12 lead in the first frame and held onto the momentum for the rest of the set. The Falcons won the first set 25-22 over the Spartans despite a handful of highly contested rallies toward the end of the frame.
Junior outside hitter Blaire Fleming provided six kills in the first set for the Spartans. Fleming finished the match with 13 kills.
The Spartans took an early 5-2 lead in the next round over the Falcons. Air Force took an 8-7 lead and never gave it back for the rest of the set. The Falcons recorded seven blocks en route to a 25-20 win in the second set.
SJSU roared back to take a 9-5 lead off a kill from senior outside hitter Amethyst Harper. Air Force took an 18-16 lead after a 4-0 run. The Spartans tied it 20-20 off a block from junior middle blocker Jianna Lawson.
Lawson led the Spartans with three blocks and provided seven kills.
The ending of the third set was highly contested with nine lead changes. The Spartans took a 23-22 lead after a block from fifth-year outside hitter Haylee Nelson. However, Air Force won the third set 29-27 with a 3-0 run.
“We need to make better offensive decisions, our setters need to connect better, our middles need to have more offensive presence,” said SJSU head coach Trent Kersten.
The Spartans look to bounce back as they travel down south to face New Mexico in the Johnson Center at 12 p.m. this Saturday.