By Taylor Lupetti (@tayclupetti):
It was an electric opening weekend for the women’s volleyball team. After defeating the Pepperdine Waves 3-2 on Friday night the Spartans kept the momentum going on Saturday when they beat the University of San Francisco Dons 3-1.
This is the second year in a row that the Spartans have ended their opening weekend undefeated.
Friday’s game was a big one for outside hitter Giulia Gavio and setter Mariana Mantellato, earning their first double-doubles of the season.
Gavio landed the top spot amongst the hitters with 29 kills and 14 digs. After leading her team this weekend, the junior was named the “Mountain West Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week.” The 29 kills she earned at Friday’s game are the highest of any Mountain West player this season.
Mantellato started the season with a career best of 51 assists and 10 digs, landing the setter her first double-double at SJSU. The sophomore got her second double-double on Saturday with 36 assists and another 10 digs.
With 17 kills and 11 digs on Friday and 24 kills and 12 digs on Saturday, outside hitter Fernanda Vido earned her first and second collegiate double-doubles.
The Spartans are traveling to Southern California this upcoming weekend where they will face UC Riverside on Friday at 5 p.m. On Saturday they will take on Cal State Fullerton at 11 a.m and Howard at 2 p.m.
