By Briannah McGee | The Spartans gather to go over the next set with coaches against LSU New Orleans on Sept. 6 (Photo by Alex Guzman – Spear Photographer)
San Jose State women’s volleyball (5-2, 0-0 MW) defeated UC Irvine (1-6, 0-0 Big West) 3-2 Sunday at the Bren Events Center in Irvine, California, overcoming a two-set comeback by the Anteaters before winning the deciding fifth set 15-13.
With the match tied at 2-2, the Spartans regained their composure in the fifth set. SJSU and U.C. Irvine battled point-for-point late in the deciding set before the Spartans held on for a 15-13 victory.
Sophomore outside hitter Morgan Graves led the Spartans offensively in kills, followed by graduate student outside hitter Zuzana Kosíková and redshirt senior right-side hitter Lolohea Fonua.
SJSU started slowly in the opening set but battled back to take the first set and gained early momentum. The Spartans carried that momentum into the second set, continuing to play strong and taking a 2-0 lead.
UC Irvine responded in the third set, edging SJSU, 25-23, in a close battle. The Anteaters continued their comeback in the fourth set, earning a 25-19 victory and forcing a deciding fifth set.
Graves led the Spartans’ attack throughout the match, while Kosíková and Fonua provided additional offensive production as SJSU battled through U.C. Irvine’s comeback attempt.
The victory moves SJSU to 5-2 on the season as the Spartans continue their nonconference schedule.
The Spartans will play up against Sacramento State for their first match of Battle of NorCal at 4 p.m. on Friday at Spartan Gym, San Jose, Calif.
