LOGAN, Utah - Utah State volleyball was swept in conference play for the first time this season in a three-set loss to league-leading Fresno State on Thursday night.
The Aggies hit a season-low -.045 (22-27-110) during the match as sophomore outside Gabbi Shumway led the team individually with seven kills. The match was just the second time all season that USU did not have a double-digit attacker. Senior libero Tasia Taylor led the Utah State back row with a match-high-tying 13 digs, and was followed by freshman outside Whitney Solosabal with a career-high 10 digs.
Fresno State broke a 2-2 tie in the opening set with a four-point run, part of five-straight points, to take a 6-2 lead. The Bulldogs then used a seven-point run, as the Aggies had pulled to within two, to extend their lead to 14-5. Fresno State ultimately took the set 25-14, despite a kill by USU senior middle Lauren O'Brien that extended the frame on the Bulldogs' first set point at 24-13.
Utah State fought off four straight Fresno State set points in the second set after making a late push. The teams stayed within a three-point difference over the opening rallies before the Bulldogs created some separation with a seven-point run, taking a 17-9 lead. Fresno State captured its first set point at 24-18, but the Aggies continued to fight and scored four straight behind a block by Solosabal and freshman middle Corinne Larsen, and back-to-back kills by O'Brien. The Bulldogs eventually punctuated the set, 25-22, behind a Utah State attacking error.
"We found a little more passion for the game in that second set," Taylor said after the match. "We found our fight and the team we know we can be came out in the end there. That is what helped us get a closer set."
The Aggies never settled into an offensive rhythm in the third set, hitting -.030 (5-6-33) in the frame, while Fresno State hit .464 (16-3-28) en route to the lop-sided 25-10 finish.
The Bulldogs were also without a double-digit attacker as senior outside Taylor Slover and freshman outside Kava Durr tied for the team lead with nine kills apiece. Sophomore libero Reagan Leonard tied Taylor with match-high 13 digs to lead the Fresno State back row.
Both teams finished the contest with 10 total blocks as O'Brien led the Aggies with six, while senior middle Haile Watson paced the Bulldogs with seven.
Utah State will be back in action on Saturday, hosting San Diego State at 1 p.m., on Kirby Court inside the Wayne Estes Center. Fans can follow the match via live stat and live video links on the volleyball schedule page online at www.utahstateaggies.com.
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.
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