Aztecs Top No. 11 BYU in Tourney

The San Diego State women’s volleyball team upset 11th-ranked BYU, 15-10, 15-8, 12-15, 15-13 Friday to advance to the first round of the NCAA West Regionals against third-ranked Stanford.

After watching film of BYU’s matches, SDSU Coach Rudy Suwara said he simplified the Aztec offense to expose a weakness in the Cougars’ blocking scheme. That helped the 19th-ranked Aztecs (24-11) offset BYU’s powerful spiking and top the WAC champions for the first time this season. The Cougars (26-8) won both regular-season meetings, defeating SDSU in five games in San Diego and three at Provo.

“I think we had their team well scouted, and we were well prepared,” Suwara said. “And the players executed the game plan. We just wanted to make our attack a little bit quicker. I think we threw them off balance a little bit.”

Angela Martin led the Aztecs with 23 kills, and Jennifer Miller added 13. Kim Lester had three service aces.

SDSU’s best finishes were in 1981 and 1982, when the Aztecs were third in the nation. Suwara said this team is capable of doing as well.

“At the end of the season, this team could be one of the best (SDSU teams) ever,” he said. “I really think if we get hot in the regionals, we could be in the final four with this team.”

And Stanford?

“I think we’re capable of beating Stanford,” Suwara said.