By: Diego Macaraeg (@DiegoMac_sports) – Spear Reporter | Spartans huddle around head coach Todd Kress in 3-2 loss to Santa Clara on Sept. 16, 2025. (Photo by Alex Stoev – Spear Photographer)
San Jose State women’s volleyball (3-5) came out firing on all fronts Tuesday night against Santa Clara (4-5), but ultimately dropped a heartbreaking match in a final score of 3-2.
The Spartans looked sharp early, taking the first two sets behind efficient attacking and clean execution.
Freshman middle blocker Ava Hewitt-Smith delivered a career-high 15 kills to light-up SJSU’s offense.
Redshirt junior right side Lolo Fonua led the way with a .364 hitting percentage, helping SJSU post a team season-high of .314.
The Spartans also scored first in four of the five sets, setting the tone early.
Set three proved to be the turning point in the match as the momentum shifted to the Broncos.
A string of errors opened the door for Santa Clara, which seized control and built confidence as the match wore on.
“I think we’re frustrated,” SJSU head coach Todd Kress said. “I think that we played two really quality sets in sets one and two and even in the third set we had opportunities, we just couldn’t finish.”
The Broncos capitalized on their newfound confidence, evening the match with a 25-21 win in the fourth set.
“We needed to be the aggressor in the third, fourth and fifth set, and we weren’t,” Kress said. “In the fourth set we started to feel a little bit of pressure and we played tight, which is unfortunate because we need to embrace that pressure.”
The fifth set was a back-and-forth battle featuring seven ties and three lead changes.
Despite Hewitt-Smith’s strong night and the Spartans’ season-high attack, the Broncos stayed composed and clinged to a 17-15 win, led by sophomore opposite Morgan Hayes’ match-high 17 kills.
The Spartans will look to bounce back against the University of San Francisco on Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. at the War Memorial in the Sobrato Center.
