Taylor Lupetti (@tayclupetti):
The San Jose State women’s volleyball team made its first appearance in Spartan Gym since opening weekend as it took on the Idaho Vandals in the SCU/SJSU Tournament.
The Spartans started in Santa Clara earlier in the day against No. 9 University of Kansas Jayhawks, losing the match 3-1.
SJSU came back in the evening to go up against the Vandals and were swept, losing three straight sets.
Even after going up in each set against the Vandals, the Spartans were never able to close one out, relinquishing their advantage in all three sets.
“We would go on runs of points and then we would give them runs of points,” said head coach Jolene Shepardson.
It was Idaho’s hard hits and the Spartans’ lack of control on defense that ultimately brought them down.
As the match went on, the communication lessened on the floor between SJSU’s players.
“I think one of the key points today was our lack of communication,” said middle back Nandyala Gama. “We were a lot better when we were loud and talkative.”
The Spartans’ hits were strong but were not a match for the wall set by the Vandals at the net. The Vandals were overpowering with 16 blocks compared to the Spartans’ 7.
It was a tough night for outside hitter Giulia Gavio who had almost half of her attempts rejected by Vandals’ senior middle blocker Torrin Crawford.
The Spartans will be back in Spartan Gym Saturday night at 7 p.m. when they take on tournament co-host Santa Clara University.