Oct. 30, 2007

Final Stats | Photo Gallery

LOGAN, Utah - Amanda Nielson recorded a match-high 25 kills to lead Utah State's volleyball team to a four-game win against Utah (25-30, 30-23, 30-27, 30-27) here Tuesday night. With the win, Utah State improves to 15-10 on the season and 3-0 against its in-state rivals, while Utah falls to 10-12 with the loss. USU has now won 13 of its last 17 matches since starting the season with a 2-6 record.

The six match winning streak for Utah State is its longest since the 2001 team won seven straight matches. It is also the first time since 2003, a span of four matches, that USU has defeated Utah.

Nielson, a senior opposite side hitter from West Valley City, Utah (Granger HS) has now recorded at least 24 kills in six straight matches. Junior outside hitter Melissa Osterloh (Sandy, Utah) also extended her streak of double-doubles to four straight matches as he had 13 kills and 10 digs, to go along with six blocks. Senior outside hitter Monarisa Ale (Kahuku, Hawai'i) added a career-high 17 kills in the match for Utah State, while sophomore middle blocker Danielle Taylor (Springville, Utah) recorded a career-high 13 kills.

Utah was led by Kathryn Haynie with 15 kills, while Kate Robison and Whitney Webb each had 12 kills.

Utah controlled game one as it built an eight-point lead at 18-10 and hit .250 (14-7-28) in the game to record the five-point win. Utah State was the hot team in game two and built an identical 18-10 lead en route to the seven-point win. In that second game, Nielson led the Aggies with eight kills as USU hit a blistering .459 (22-5-37 as a team. Nielson added seven kills in game three as Utah State hit .381 (21-5-42) to notch the three-point win. In the fourth and final game, Utah State used its defense to win the match as it registered eight team blocks and held the Utes to a .186 (18-10-43) hitting percentage.

Overall, Utah State hit .312 (73-25-154) as compared to a .274 (62-25-135) hitting percentage for Utah. USU also recorded six more team blocks (16-10) and two more digs in the match, while Utah had 12 fewer service errors (17-5).

Utah State will return to action on Thursday, Nov. 1 when it plays its final in-state match of the season at Utah Valley at 7 p.m. USU defeated the Wolverines in Logan on Oct. 25 in four games.

Utah State 3, Utah 1UU             30            23            27            27USU            25            30            30            30