By Anfisa Pitchkhadze – Spear Reporter | Photo by Nick Orozco – Co-Executive Editor of The Spear | Senior Blaire Fleming up for a spike with her team ready onlooking to ensure it goes over the net on Sept. 21.
San Jose State volleyball (9-0, 1-0 MW) stays undefeated after a 3-1 victory over Fresno State (4-8, 0-1 MW) Tuesday night to open conference play in Fresno, Calif.
SJSU outside hitters Blaire Fleming and Nayeli Ti’a put on dominant performances to propel the Spartans offensively.
Fleming led the team with 16 kills and a 36.1% hit rate while Ti’a added 11 kills with a 43% hit rate.
The Spartans went on to have a tight competition with Fresno in the first set.
“I thought we didn’t have any connectivity,” San Jose State head coach Todd Kress said. “I challenged them in between sets to come out as a team.”
Kress said he was proud of the team showing grit and not giving up without a fight after a rough first set.
SJSU lost 25-23 in the first, the only set they would lose. The Spartans eventually gained momentum after winning the second set 25-21 and never looked back.
The Spartans went on to display a dominant performance in the third and fourth sets.
The team started to look like themselves again after a 25-15 third set victory and closed the game out with a 25-16 fourth set victory.
Although the Spartans have allowed opponents to score more than 20 points in sets over 10 times, they still find ways to close out and win matches.
Kress mentioned that Fleming’s performance made an impact. He also mentioned SJSU junior middle blocker Kiayana Faupula playing great off the bench and senior setter Brooke Slusser running the offense as she led the team with 35 assists.
“I’m overly proud of this group, like what this group can become and who they’re becoming as young adults and young strong females,” Kress said.
The Spartans feel they are at a confident spot after earning their first conference win especially since it was against the defending champions.
SJSU will look to stay undefeated against Boise State with its next match scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at the Spartan Gym.
