Washington State’s trip to San Diego was a reminder that a good set can still live inside a difficult result. The Cougars dropped a 3-1 Pac-12 match to San Diego State on Saturday, but they also showed they could answer when the match tightened, taking the third set 25-23 after trailing in it. That mattered because it kept the contest from turning into a simple blowout, even if the final score still belonged to the home side.
The set scores tell the story of a match that swung sharply in San Diego State’s favor early, then became more competitive before slipping away again. Washington State lost the first two sets 17-25 and 13-25, then steadied long enough to claim the third 25-23. The fourth set went back to San Diego State, 25-22, and that was enough to close out the match. For Washington State, the split between the middle of the match and the finish is the bigger takeaway than the final margin alone.
Mary Healy leads the way
Mary Healy was the most efficient offensive presence for Washington State, finishing with nine kills and hitting.348 while also adding three blocks. That combination gave the Cougars a reliable option in the front row even as the match rhythm moved against them. In a game where Washington State needed cleaner points to build momentum, Healy provided the most complete statistical line on the roster.
Other individual numbers also stood out. Kambree Rodriguez contributed 14 digs, while Audrey Hollis added two assists, Whitney Dewicki had one attack and Emerson Matthews finished with 20 assists. Livia Ward recorded six digs, Kate Hayhurst had seven kills, Eliana Ti'a delivered three service aces, Madyn Cervellera contributed five digs and Naomi White also had five digs. Those numbers suggest a team that had pockets of production, even if it never fully put the pieces together for a comeback win.
What it means next
The result leaves Washington State at 4-7 in Pac-12 play, a record that reflects the challenge of stringing together consistent performances in conference action. The Cougars did, however, post several season and career markers in the broader match context, including team totals of 43 kills and individual milestones that point to progress even in defeat. Washington State also remains within reach of another statistical landmark, sitting 49 away from 500 and 57 shy of 1,500 in one team measure, while other marks show 97 away from 500, 121 from 1,000, and 117 in 2025 as the numbers continue to build.
The Cougars’ next scheduled match is at Gonzaga in Spokane, Washington, on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 11 a.m. That meeting gives Washington State a quick chance to reset after a loss that was uneven but not empty. The final score says San Diego State won the match. The fuller picture says Washington State still found enough in the third set, and from Healy’s performance in particular, to carry some useful evidence into the next one.
