By: Marilyn Anye (@AnyeMarilyn) – Spear Reporter – SJSU celebrates seniors Alyssa Bjork and Randilyn Reeves before Friday’s Senior Night match against Utah State. (Photo by Shahd Suliman – Spear photographer)
San Jose State women’s volleyball (12-15, 7-9 MW) dropped its Senior Night match 3–1 to Utah State (19-7, 16-0 MW) on Saturday afternoon, losing a marathon first set that set the tone for the rest of the match.
SJSU battled point-for-point with Utah State in an intense opening set, ultimately falling 32–30 in what head coach Todd Kress called, “so much fun to be a part of.”
Several tight plays and borderline points went Utah State’s way, tilting the set’s momentum late as SJSU struggled to find consistency against the conference leader.
Kress said the emotional swing of losing such a tight set made it difficult for the team to reset.
“When you’re on the losing end of that first set of a 32–30 set, when you had three or four set points to win it, that’s tough,” Kress said. “That’s really tough to gather yourself emotionally and be back ready to come back into a second set.”
Even though SJSU tried to stay locked in, inconsistency in passing and serve-receive made it hard to maintain the rhythm.
Kress admitted that was a key factor in the loss.
“We definitely did not pass very well today,” Kress said. “That’s one thing we’ll look back at when we watch on film and try to figure out why.”
Despite the early setbacks, SJSU found moments of stability throughout the match, drawing energy from the crowd and the Spartan band as it fought through each set.
Right-side hitter Lolo Fonua was a consistent spark with 17 kills, a .432 hitting percentage and 19 total points, while middle blocker Ava Hewitt-Smith added nine kills and a team-best seven blocks. Hewitt-Smith’s performance moved her to sixth on SJSU’s single-season solo block list, passing Gayle Olson’s mark from 1983.
Their impact at the net fueled SJSU’s third-set comeback, giving the Spartans their strongest stretch of the night.
Kress said that the atmosphere elevated the match’s intensity and gave the team extra spirit.
“It was close to a full house with a ton of energy,” Kress said. “How can you not be involved in the match? The first set was incredible, both sides giving everything and making plays.”
That surge helped SJSU seize the third set 30–28, with the Spartans showing the same confidence and lively energy that carried them through earlier wins.
SJSU celebrates a point during its match against Utah State on Senior Night at the Spartan Gym in San Jose, Calif. (Photo by Shahd Suliman – Spear photographer)
By the end, SJSU’s intensity finally started to dip after three grueling sets. Kress said the team “just ran out of gas,” as SJSU struggled to sustain the momentum they displayed earlier in the match.
He credited seniors Alyssa Bjork and Randilyn Reeves for setting the tone in their final home match.
Bjork battled through an injury to deliver two kills, a .286 hitting percentage and four points, while Reeves’ four digs and composure helped steady SJSU during key stretches.
“They’re great human beings,” Kress said. “Allie is selfless and leads by example. Randy expects the most out of herself and her teammates. We’re really going to miss them.”
Kress said the biggest lesson for his younger players is one that extends beyond the scoreboard. “It’s about being selfless, putting your teammates and the program first,” Kress said. “When everyone understands that, that’s when you build something special.”
Even in defeat, the Spartans maintain the same energetic spirit that has defined their season.
SJSU will face San Diego State at 6 p.m. next Thursday on Nov. 20 at Aztec Court in Peterson Gym in San Diego, Calif.
