Nov. 13, 2008

Box Score

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Colorado State's offensive firepower proved too much for San Diego State as the 16th-ranked Rams defeated the Aztecs in three sets (25-18, 25-18, 25-17) Thursday night in Fort Collins. The win improved CSU to 12-3 on the season and moved it into a first-place tie in the Mountain West Conference with a mark of 11-2 in league play. SDSU, which dropped its third straight match, fell to 8-16 overall and 5-9 in the MWC.

The Aztecs were unable to get their offense on track for much of the evening as they finished with a team hitting percentage of -.022, their lowest mark of the 2008 campaign. They totaled just 26 kills over the three sets, reaching double figures in only the opening contest.

Colorado State meanwhile, hit .227 for the match, well below the .364 attack percentage they recorded against the Aztecs when the teams met in San Diego last month.

San Diego State sophomore Lauren Salisbury was the only player on either side to hit double figures in kills as she finished with 10. In addition, she also contributed three blocks and a dig while turning in an attack percentage of .529.

Freshman Kyley Sexton chipped in with seven kills, but no other Aztecs ended the evening with more than three. Senior libero Michelle Ferrer had a match-high 14 digs while defensive specialist Courtney Lamphier set a personal best with seven.

Colorado State was led by Katelyn Steffan and Mekana Barnes, who notched nine and eight kills respectively. Steffan hit .571 for the match with Barnes ending the night with five blocks.

The first set was the closest of the three as the Aztecs were within two at 16-14 before the Rams won four straight points to take control. Set number two started in a similar fashion with SDSU trailing 12-10 until the home side scored five of the ensuing six points. The third set was tied at six-all before Colorado State went on another run, this time scoring seven of eight points and pulling away to claim the set and match.

The Aztecs now move on to Laramie where they will face Wyoming on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 7:00 p.m. (MST) in their final conference road match of the season.