by: Michael Palmer, USU Athletic Media Relations

BOISE, Idaho – Utah State volleyball split the first four sets at Boise State on Tuesday, but couldn't match the Broncos' attack in the final set, ultimately losing in five. The loss drops the Aggies to 5-23 overall and 3-14 in league play, while Boise State moved to 18-10 and 10-7 in the Mountain West.

The match was highlighted by senior setter Kassidy Johnson logging 49 assists and 20 digs, marking her 12th double-double of the season. The Aggie attack was paced by a trio that finished with double-digit kills in sophomore right side Bailey Downing with 15, followed by freshman outside Whitney Solosabal with 14 and sophomore outside Gabbi Shumway with 12. Freshman middle Preslee Jensen was the most efficient hitter for the Aggies, hitting .250 (7-2-20) and also led the Utah State block with a team-best six, including a career-high three solo blocks. Senior libero Tasia Taylor led all players with a career-high 28 digs.

Utah State came from behind in the first set, overcoming a 9-6 Boise State lead early in the frame and tying the match at 12-12. A Solosabal kill on the next rally kickstarted a five-point run by Utah State, ending with a Downing kill to make it 17-12 in favor of the Aggies. The Broncos came back with a 5-0 run to tie the match again at 17-17. Boise State had a 21-18 lead later in the frame, but Utah State went on the win the set, 25-23, after scoring seven of the last nine points.

Boise State jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second set and kept the Aggies out of an offensive rhythm, as Utah State hit -.100 (5-9-40) to the Broncos' .289 (14-3-38). BSU was able to capitalize on the difference and took the set 25-11.

The Aggies came out the aggressors in the third set, taking an early 7-3 lead before the Broncos came back to make it a one-point  match, 7-6. Utah State maintained the lead and had a 20-15 advantage late in the set before Boise State went on a seven-point run to take a 22-20 lead. Utah State took a timeout and came out of the break to tie the set at 22-22, but a closing 3-1 finish by the Broncos gave the home side the set, 25-23.

Utah State broke a 5-5 tie in the fourth set with a nine-point run and never looked back, taking the set 25-14, and hitting .318 (11-4-22) during the stanza.

Both teams came out firing in the decisive fifth set as Utah State hit a team-best .333 (7-1-18), but it didn't match Boise State's match-high .474 (11-2-19) as the Broncos broke a 4-4 tie with a seven-point run to take an 11-4 lead. BSU was able to ride the momentum to the eventual 15-9 finish.

Boise State was led offensively by four players with double-digit kills, including senior middle Morgan Hughes and sophomore outside Kiley Lewis with matching game-highs of 16, followed by junior outside Janell Walley with 12 and senior outside Sabryn Roberts with 11. Walley and Roberts each finished with a double-double after logging 14 and 13 digs, respectively, while freshman libero Jessie Brigham led the BSU back row with a team-high 18 digs. Freshman middle Jessica Donahue led the Boise State block with seven.

Utah State will close out its regular season on Saturday, traveling to Air Force and facing the Falcons at 1 p.m. (MT).

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-