By: Marilyn Anye (@AnyeMarilyn) – Spear Reporter – Senior setter Fatimah Hall sets the ball during a match at Spartan Gym on Sept. 25, 2025. (Photo by Marilyn Anye – Spear photographer)
San Jose State women’s volleyball (4-4, 0-0 MW) fell 3-1 to Long Beach State (5-2, 0-0 BW) on Saturday afternoon, securing the third set before the Beach pulled away in the fourth to take the win.
After dropping the first two sets 25-15 and 25-21, SJSU hit back with a 25-23 third-set victory over Long Beach State.
Sophomore outside hitter Morgan Graves played a key role in the response, contributing several kills during the set and helping the Spartans build an early 5-1 advantage.
The Spartans maintained their lead as the Beach fought back late in the third set. With SJSU ahead 24-23, sophomore right-side hitter Tatiana Robinson closed out the third set with a kill off senior setter Fatimah Hall’s assist, extending the match.
“I thought we pretty much controlled play most of the way,” SJSU head coach Todd Kress said. “We finished it off with a nice swing by Tati down the line.”
The Spartans were not able to carry that push into the fourth set. With the score tied 5-5, three service aces helped the Beach score seven straight points before SJSU could even respond.
“It’s 5-5 in the fourth set, and then we come out and make five or six straight errors,” Kress said. “It’s a little frustrating for all of us that we had the opportunity to push that to five, and anything could have happened.”
Graves recorded a season-high 11 kills while adding 10 digs for her fourth career double-double. Graves also added 3 blocks and a service ace, with several of her kills in action during the Spartans’ third-set win.
Redshirt sophomore defensive specialist Orian Drore recorded a season-best with 18 digs, while Hall contributed 17 assists and 7 digs.
SJSU ended the match with 33 kills and a .063 hitting percentage compared with Long Beach State’s 55 kills and .208 hitting percentage. The Beach’s offensive edge helped it regain control despite SJSU forcing a fourth set.
SJSU still managed to find an advantage at the net, outblocking Long Beach State 9-7. Graves contributed 3 blocks, while redshirt junior middle blocker Aniyah Hall and senior middle blocker Ava Hewitt-Smith also helped the Spartans at the net.
SJSU looks to bounce back as it continues nonconference play against U.C. Irvine at noon on Sunday at the Bren Events Center in Irvine, Calif.
