By Christian Vieyra(@thecvieyra)– Spear Reporter| Photo by Titus Wilkinson
SJSU women’s volleyball added another loss to its 2023 injury plagued campaign in five competitive sets against Colorado State at the Spartan Gym.
The Spartans (12-14, 3-10 MW) trotted out a lineup of ten players. “We took Colorado State, who I think is one of the favorites to win this whole thing, to five sets on our home court with a depleted lineup,” head coach Todd Kress said.
Without key starters Blaire Flemming, who has missed all of conference play due to injury, and Letizi Cammilluccii, who has missed the past two matches with an ankle sprain according to Kress, the Spartans have looked to their younger players to fill in and develop.
Before Flemming’s injury, the Spartans record was 9-4, and since she’s been hurt their record has been 3-10, ending hopes of a return to the Mountain West Tournament.
Flemming still leads the Spartans in kills per set at 3.86 and points per set at 4.15 without playing the last 13 matches.
Cammilluccii’s absence coincides with SJSU’s recent two game skid. She is second overall in kills for the Spartans this season.
“It’s been a little bit of committee job,” Kress said.
One Spartan who stepped up to the occasion against the Rams was junior Brooke Slusser, who had the first triple-double for the Spartans since 2009, with 10 kills, 19 assists and 24 digs.
“This is my first year here and I can just say that the love of the game I have is back,” Slusser said on her triple-double. “I feel like that contributes a lot to it as well as just my teammates having my back through everything and helping me get be successful and hitting when it’s not my strongest suit.”
Freshman phenom Nayeli Ti’a also had 10 kills along with 12 digs.
Freshman Selin Ozdemir was also ready for the occasion with 9 kills. “Like every time I go get the ball, she’s scoring,” senior Jiana Lawson said on Ozdemir.
Junior Brooke Bryant also had 9 kills. “She’s come a long way in blocking and attacking,” Lawson said.
“They’ve contributed in so many ways in terms of culture and adding and just being and stepping up and playing their role,” Lawson said on the players filling in for the injured Spartans. “We would love to have them [Cammillucci and Fleming] back but we haven’t really missed a lot in terms of cohesion.”
Slusser said the injuries have allowed the younger Spartans to garner more confidence in themselves, “You’re all we got so don’t be scared, just go all out and just go play.”
Kress believes the silver lining in this unsuccessful season is the freshmen whose opportunities increased due to injuries.
“Next year when they play, it wouldn’t be the first time that they’re facing this type of pressure. They’re facing this type of competition,” he said. “How that’s going to help us as we move forward and progress the program is huge.”