By Marilyn Anye (@AnyeMarilyn) – Spear Reporter | Senior middle blocker Ava Hewitt-Smith (9) and junior right-side hitter Mariana Buchanan (15) go up for a block against Wyoming on Saturday at Spartan Gym. (Photo by Marilyn Anye – Spear photographer)
San Jose State women’s volleyball (6-8, 1-3 MW) fell 3-0 to the University of Wyoming (8-7, 1-3 MW) on Saturday afternoon at Spartan Gym, two days after defeating the Cowgirls in four sets.
The Spartans battled through a tight opening set before falling 25-23. Wyoming capitalized early and pulled away to win the final two sets, 25-20 and 25-18.
The Spartans opened the match with a .324 hitting percentage but struggled to maintain offensive production as the match continued. The Spartans hit .207 in the second set and .147 in the third.
“We knew we were going to be against the best version of Wyoming, and we just didn’t come out and match their intensity,” SJSU head coach Todd Kress said. “We didn’t do our job. We didn’t play defense.”
Sophomore outside hitter Morgan Graves led the Spartans with 11 kills on 22 attempts and finished with a .429 hitting percentage and added 6 digs.
Senior middle blocker Ava Hewitt-Smith added 7 kills on 13 attempts for a team-high .538 hitting percentage and contributed 3 blocks at the net.
The Cowgirls finished with 43 kills compared with the Spartans’ 34 and outhit them .327 to .227. Both teams finished with 5 total blocks.
The Spartans held an 8-7 advantage in service aces but made 11 service errors throughout the match, while the Cowgirls had 7 service errors.
The Cowgirls also held a 44-36 advantage in digs, while redshirt sophomore defensive specialist Orian Drore led the Spartans with 7.
The opening set remained close through the final points, with Graves recording a late kill to bring the Spartans within one at 24-23. However, the Spartans could not complete the push as the Cowgirls finished off the set 25-23.
Wyoming managed to create more separation in the second set after the teams traded points early. SJSU tried to work its way back, but Wyoming maintained its advantage to take the set 25-20.
The Spartans opened the third set with a 5-2 advantage before the Cowgirls responded and gradually pulled ahead. The Spartans were not able to close the gap as the Cowgirls continued to build their lead.
Following the loss, Kress emphasized the need for the Spartans to execute their responsibilities from the start.
“You have to know what your job is, and you have to execute your job,” Kress said.
Two days after Kress praised the Spartans for making plays in tight situations during their 3-1 win over Wyoming, Kress made it clear that consistency remains the biggest takeaway from the two-match series.
“Be consistent,” Kress said. “Seriously, try to come out and put the same product on the court in back-to-back matches.”
The Spartans will look to respond as they continue Mountain West play against the University of Hawai’i at 10 p.m. Friday at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawai’i.
