SAN DIEGO – With a postseason berth on the line, the San Diego State volleyball team delivered a decisive 3-0 victory over Fresno State on Saturday afternoon, securing its spot in the Mountain West Championship. The straight-set win (25-13, 25-21, 25-21) at Aztec Court at Peterson Gym was an emotional Senior Day triumph and another homecoming of sorts, featuring two local standouts on opposite sides of the net.
The match put the spotlight on San Diego State senior setter Sarena Gonzalez, a Temecula Valley High School graduate, and Fresno State freshman outside hitter Madison Pulsipher, an alumna of Rancho Christian High School.
For Gonzalez, the victory was a storybook ending to her final regular-season home match. She played a pivotal role in orchestrating the Aztecs’ offense, contributing a season-high 26 assists. Her precise sets were instrumental in San Diego State achieving its second-highest hitting percentage of the year at .359, with 55 kills against only 13 errors. Gonzalez also added eight digs on the defensive end.
On the other side, Pulsipher and the Bulldogs fought to close their season on a high note. The freshman finished the match with four kills for Fresno State.
The Aztecs (14-15, 9-9 MW) entered the contest needing a win and a loss by San José State to clinch the final tournament seed. They left nothing to chance. San Diego State dominated the opening set, racing to a 12-5 lead and never looking back. The team’s powerful offense, guided by Gonzalez, was overwhelming as the Aztecs took the first frame 25-13.
Fresno State (7-22, 3-15 MW) adjusted in the second set, improving its production at the net. The Bulldogs jumped out to an 18-14 lead, looking to even the match. However, the Aztecs surged late, sparked by three consecutive service aces from Campbell Hague, to fuel a 9-3 closing run and take the set 25-21.
The third set remained tight, but San Diego State maintained control. The Aztecs posted an exceptional .514 hitting efficiency in the final frame, crushing 22 kills. Despite a late push from Fresno State that narrowed the score to 24-21, San Diego State closed out the match with a final kill to complete the sweep.
Individually for the Aztecs, Madison Corf led all players with 14 kills on a .478 hitting percentage. Ella Schabort added 10 kills, while Talea Mitchell contributed seven kills on a .700 hitting clip.
For Fresno State, Addison Haluska and Jenna Legault tied for the team lead with nine kills each.
The win not only snapped a four-match losing streak for San Diego State but also completed a season sweep over Fresno State for the first time since 2022.
Prior to the match, San Diego State honored its senior class, celebrating the careers and contributions of Gonzalez, Cara Braun, Madison Corf, Keira Herron, Amber Keen, and Taylor Underwood.
With the victory, sixth-seeded San Diego State advances to the Mountain West Championship in Las Vegas. The Aztecs are set to face No. 3 seed Wyoming in the first round on Wednesday, Nov. 26.
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