Box Score

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Utah State suffered a 3-0 (25-22, 25-9, 25-14) setback to USC on Thursday morning in the opening match of the USC Classic. The loss drops the Aggies to 2-6 on the year while the No. 6 Trojans remain undefeated with a 7-0 mark.

Utah State fell behind early in the first set as USC jumped out to a 5-1 lead, but the Aggies battled back and tied the match at 14-14 punctuated by a 3-0 run. However, USC broke the deadlock with back-to-back points and took its first set point at 24-21. A kill by sophomore outside Rachel Gale prolonged the set, but a final kill by the Trojans gave the home side the 25-22 victory.

Utah State couldn't find a rhythm in the second set, committing nine errors with just four kills and siding out on all but two of its service rotation. The funk led to a 25-9 defeat in the frame and put the Aggies down 2-0 overall for the match.

The lull carried over into the third set as USU fell behind 7-1, prompting a timeout by head coach Grayson DuBose. The break reversed the tide as the Aggies went on an 8-2 run to tie the match at 9-9 behind a pair of service aces by junior outside Kaylie Kamalu. The momentum was broken when the Utah State attack stalled at 12-11 and USC went on a 7-0 run to build a 19-11 lead. The Aggies then struggled to maintain possession, siding out each of their final three service rotations and fell 25-14.

Kamalu led the Aggies with eight kills, but hit -.100 with 11 errors on 30 attempts. Freshman middle Lauren O'Brien was the most efficient hitter for Utah State, hitting .625 with five kills on eight attempts without an error. For the match, Utah State hit .038 with 22 kills on 80 attempts and 19 errors.

Freshman setter Kassidy Johnson directed the attack with 19 assists and finished second on the team with three blocks. O'Brien finished the match with a team-best five blocks, while junior libero Hannah Gleason led the team in digs with 10.

USC was led offensively by senior outside Samantha Bricio with 12 kills, hitting .400 (12-1-25), as the Trojans hit .284 for the match with 36 kills on 81 attempts and 13 errors. Bricio was also strong behind the service line, recording eight service aces. Freshman setter Baylee Johnson led the Trojans with 21 assists and also tied for the team lead in blocks, tying freshman middle Rachel Reed with two. Junior libero Taylor Whittingham led the USC defense with 11 digs.

Utah State will return to the court tomorrow, facing Pepperdine at 1:30 p.m. and Idaho State at 6:00 p.m.

Fans can purchase season tickets for the 2015 season by contacting the USU Ticket Office at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum or by phone by calling 1-888-USTATE-1 or (435) 797-0305.

Fans can follow the Aggie volleyball program on Twitter @USUVolleyball, on Facebook at USUVolleyball or on Instagram at @usuvolleyball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program at @USUAthletics, on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics or on Instagram at @USUAthletics.

-USU-