Aztecs’ Volleyball Victory Streak Snapped by Pacific

Top-ranked San Diego State tried to rally one too many times Saturday night as the University of the Pacific, ranked fourth dealt the Aztecs their first defeat in 24 matches this season, 16-14, 4-15, 15-6, 15-12, in a Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. women’s volleyball match.

Starting setter Liane Sato returned to the SDSU lineup after missing the last two matches. But with the Aztecs (4-1, 23-1) leading in the first game, 2-0, Sato reinjured her right knee.

“I was trying to go one way and then I tried to go another way,” said Sato, who is suffering from a knee injury and said she will see her doctor today to decide whether to undergo arthroscopic surgery.

Freshman setter Melissa Stokes, who played at Granite Hills High School, replaced Sato, and the Aztecs lost the next eight points to trail, 8-2. SDSU rallied from a 14-5 deficit to tie the score, 14-14, but defending national champion Pacific (4-1, 11-1) won behind the play of middle blocker Elaina Oden, a member of the U.S. National team.

After the Aztecs rolled to a 15-4 victory in Game 2, Pacific took control, thanks primarily to outside hitter Teri McGrath, who had 14 kills.

The Aztecs rallied in the final game, pulling to within 10-9, but Pacific scored four unanswered points for a 14-9 lead. SDSU kept itself in the match with a scrambling defense that saved two match points.

But this time, the Aztecs could not pull off the rally like they had done in their three previous matches against Cal State Fullerton, No. 2 San Jose State and No. 4 UCLA.

Aztec middle blocker Kris Morton, who had a match-high 18 kills, scored twice to pull SDSU to within 14-12. But a kill by Mary Miller gave Pacific the serve, and Oden and Brooke Herrington combined to block Renee Pankopf’s return for the victory.