LOGAN, Utah – Utah State women's volleyball lost a three-set decision to Weber State on Friday night, losing 25-21, 25-17 and 25-21. The loss leaves the Aggies at 2-9 on the year, while Weber State moved to 5-3 with the victory.

"Weber State came out and looked great," said head coach Grayson DuBose. "Their ball control was better than ours in a lot of different ways. We had too many over passes, too many tight digs and Weber State was just the better team tonight."

Sophomore outside hitter Bailey Downing led the Utah State attack with 13 kills, as Utah State finished the match hitting .176 (35-17-102). Senior middle blocker Lauren O'Brien, sophomore outside hitter Gabbi Shumway and freshman middle blocker Corinne Larsen each had five kills. 

Senior setter Kassidy Johnson recorded 22 assists. Senior libero Tasia Taylor led USU with 16 digs, while Larsen topped the Aggies at the net with four blocks (one solo, three assists). 

Weber State got out to an early lead in the opening set, before a kill by Downing evened the score, 8-8. The Wildcats scored the next four points, including back-to-back aces, and the Aggies took a timeout, down 14-9. Weber State stretched its lead to 18-12, but the Aggies scored two in a row to pull back to within four. USU got to within 22-20 after a block by Johnson and Larsen, but Weber State closed out the set on a 3-1 run to capture the opening frame, 25-21.

USU trailed 7-2 in the second set after a Weber State error, but the WIldcats scored five of the next eight points for a 12-9 advantage. That would be the closest the Aggies would get as Weber State scored three unanswered points to take the set, 25-17, and a two-set lead.

After the intermission, the Aggies were down 3-0, before storming back to knot the score at five-all after three Downing kills, and a Weber State error. USU later took its first lead of the set at 11-10 after another kill by Downing. That would be the Aggies' largest lead, as Weber State charged back with six unanswered points and eventually took the set 25-21, completing the sweep.

Weber State finished the match hitting .337 (45-12-337) and was led by junior outside Megan Gneiting with 14 kills and senior outside Andrea Hale with 11.

Utah State will now turn its attention to conference play, opening its Mountain West slate on the road next week, facing New Mexico in Albuquerque on Wednesday, Sept. 19, and UNLV at home on Saturday, Sept. 22.

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.

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