OREM, Utah – Utah State faced Utah Valley in the first of two in-state matches for the Aggies during the 2018 season and lost in three sets 25-21, 25-20, 25-9, on Tuesday night.
Sophomore outside Gabbi Shumway led the Utah State attack with eight kills and finished second on the team with 10 digs. Senior libero Tasia Taylor led the USU back row with 13 digs, while senior middle Lauren O'Brien led the USU block with five during the match.
Utah State opened the first set quickly, jumping out to a 6-1 lead and forcing a Utah Valley timeout. The run continued on the next rally as a block by freshman middle Corinne Larsen and junior right side Izzie Hinton-Belnap put the Aggies up 7-1. USU continued to lead late in the set with a 17-13 advantage, but the momentum shifted as Utah Valley scored six straight to go on top 19-17. Utah State came to within one on three occasions down the stretch, but a closing three-point run by the Wolverines wrapped up the set, 25-21.
USU built an early lead again in the second set behind kills by Hinton-Belnap and sophomore outside Bailey Downing and a block by O'Brien. Utah State led 7-3 following a kill by Shumway, but Utah Valley countered with a 8-1 run to take an 11-8 lead. The Wolverines held onto the advantage throughout the set and took set point at 24-18. The Aggies fought off two set points behind a UVU attacking error and service ace by Larsen, but ultimately lost the set 25-20.
Utah Valley turned the tables in the third set, scoring four straight following a USU block by O'Brien and senior setter Kassidy Johnson to take a 4-1 lead. The difference increased to six, 9-3, prompting a Utah State timeout. The Aggie attack never found its groove in the closing set, hitting -.119 (5-10-42) as Utah State ended up losing the match 25-9.
USU will be back in action this weekend, traveling to Kalamazoo, Mich., to take part in a tournament hosted by Western Michigan. The Aggies are slated to face Loyola (Chicago) on Friday, Sept. 7, and Milwaukee and Western Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 8. Fans can follow the matches via live stat links 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.
