By: Javen Takhar (@javentakhar) – Spear Reporter | Setter Fatimah Hall preparing to serve. (Photo by Alex Stoev – Spear Photographer)
San Jose State (4-6) takes down the University of San Francisco (2-7) 3-1 in its last game of the USF Challenge.
The Spartans came into this game seeking a win after losing to Cal State University, Northridge 3-1.
This would be the second battle between the Spartans and the Dons this week, SJSU winning on Wednesday in set five.
SJSU was led by redshirt junior right side hitter Lolo Fonua with 14 kills.
After starting down 3-1 in game one, SJSU went on a 5-0 scoring run, catapulted by freshman outside hitter Morgan Graves who scored three of the five points.
With the game tied at 10, the Spartans went on a tear to 24 points where the Dons fought back until freshman right side hitter Tatiana Robinson got the kill to win.
In her debut game, Robinson finished with three kills.
USF opened game two with an ace by freshman setter Andrea Fabikovicova, followed by a kill by graduate student right side hitter Hannah Taylor.
They would control the game getting a 17-13 lead, but SJSU would later get on top 23-20.
After a back-and-forth competition, junior outside hitter Astrid Puig would win the set for the Dons 26-24.
An important game three began with back-to-back blocks for the Spartans, giving them an early 2-0 lead.
With the score tied at 14, SJSU found momentum with a 7-1 run.
Fonua would put the nails in the coffin scoring the final three points needed to secure set three 25-17.
The Dons came out in game four immediately scoring two aces by Fabikovicova.
The Spartans erased a two point deficit, and fought to tie the game at 18.
A 3-0 run ignited by redshirt freshman outside hitter Sariah Johnson called for a USF timeout to slow SJSU’s momentum.
Graves and Taylor would trade kills until the Spartans match point was won with junior setter Fatimah Hall attempting her first kill of the game, giving them the set 25-22 and ultimately the win.
“I’m happy with today, I thought we served well from the in line today,” head coach Todd Kress said.
The team finished with 10 total aces.
SJSU would finish the USF Challenge with a record of 2-1, with both wins being against the Dons.
After six games in eight days, Kress looks forward to having time to reset and prepare for conference play.
“Now we got 48 hours to recoup physically, mentally, spiritually,” Kress said.
They return home Thursday, Sept. 25 at Spartan Gym to take on the UNLV Rebels at San Jose, Calif.
