By: Javen Takhar (@javentakhar) – Spear Reporter | Redshirt junior right-side hitter Lolo Fonua gets up for a swing (Photo Courtesy of SJSU Athletics)
The Spartans (13-15, 8-9 MW) would come out on top against the Aztecs (13-15, 8-9 MW) with a gentleman’s sweep, winning 3-1.
SDSU took set one, but SJSU responded back with three sets of its own.
Redshirt junior right-side hitter Lolo Fonua recorded two career highs, finishing with 24 kills and seven digs. She also tacked on two blocks to her impressive night. Fonua took 45 hits, hitting on 40% of her attempts.
SJSU welcomed back its second leading scorer, freshman outside-hitter Morgan Graves. She left against Air Force on Nov. 6 with an injury, and has missed the past three games. Graves finishes with eight kills and five digs.
Game one was controlled by SDSU, not giving up the lead once. SJSU fought, cutting the game to 21-20, but SDSU went on a 4-1 run to take the set.
Junior setter Fatimah Hall posted 45 assists and 14 digs, anchoring the offense through each set.
Sets two and three were back and forth battles. Both saw four lead changes between the teams. But SJSU dug deep and finished both games on top.
Sophomore right-side hitter Mariana Buchanan gave the final blow to the Aztecs in set four, blasting the ball to a SDSU hitter, forcing a kill.
Buchanan finished with eight kills and a career-high five blocks. She ties with junior middle-blocker Ava Hewitt-Smith, who’s climbing the ranks for the most solo blocks in a single season.
Smith is sitting in sixth place with 35 blocks on the year. The record is 62 from Alicia Schulter in 1984.
SJSU will take on UNLV at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22 at the Cox Pavilion. This will be an important conference clash before the Mountain West Championship begins on Wednesday, Nov. 26, as the Spartans are fighting for a spot in the tournament.
