By Taylor Lupetti (@tayclupetti):
With just four games left in the 2017 season, every game matters for the women’s volleyball team, especially this weekend.
Back in Spartan Gym, San Jose State (16-9, 8-6 MW) is taking on the two best teams in the Mountain West Conference, No. 19 Colorado State (24-2, 14-0 MW) and the University of Wyoming (14-12, 9-5 MW).
The Spartans completed their final full weekend on the road last week. Going up against the University of New Mexico and University of Nevada, Las Vegas the team finished the their road trip with a win and a loss.
SJSU’s slate of games this week starts on Thursday with the matchup against the Cowgirls. The last time SJSU and Wyoming played, the Spartans lost 3-2 in Wyoming. Playing for the Cowgirls on Thursday is sophomore outside hitter Tara Traphagan, who is leading the team in kills with 276.
Wyoming is second in the Mountain West Conference, just above the Spartans who are currently in third. After defeating Boise State, but falling to Utah State last weekend, the Cowgirls are looking to hold their place in the conference.
No. 19 Colorado State is coming to San Jose looking to stay undefeated in the conference.
In addition to leading the Mountain West as a team, two Rams players are record holders in the conference as well. Redshirt sophomore middle blocker Kirstie Hillyer leads in kills per set at 1.48. Leading, not only her team, but the conference as well in blocks per set (1.32/set) is sophomore middle blocker Paulina Hougaard-Jensen.
Helping the Spartans in their goal to remain in the top three of the conference is senior middle blocker Nandyala Gama who is leading the Spartans in both kills and blocks. Senior setter Breann Robinson leads SJSU in assists and junior libero Luiza Andrade leads them in digs to help guide the Spartans as well.
The match against Wyoming is Thursday at 6 p.m. in Spartan Gym. SJSU will then return on Saturday to take on the Rams at 2 p.m.