SAN JOSE, California --- Utah State volleyball lost to San Jose State, 3-1, on Thursday night. The win dropped the Aggies into a tie for second place in the Mountain West alongside the Spartans. USU currently holds the tiebreaker over SJSU.
The first set was a tightly-contested battle between the two sides as neither team built a lead larger than three points. Courtesy of a late 4-1 run, the Aggies twice served for the set but were unable to put the Spartans away as SJSU took the first set, 27-25. USU responded, taking an early 9-5 lead to open set number two. The Spartans rallied, however, with a 7-2 run to retake the lead. San Jose State kept the momentum on their way to a 24-20 advantage. The Aggies valiantly fought off three consecutive set points but could not fend off a fourth as they lost the second set 25-23 to go down 2-0 in the match.
In a do-or-die third set, SJSU immediately jumped out to a 4-0 lead. The Aggies showed their mettle with a 6-1 run to take their first lead of the set. After again falling behind 19-18, USU stormed back to take a 24-21 advantage. After the Spartans staved off three set points to square the set at 24, the Aggies strung together a
Tatum Stall kill and a block from
Inka Mehtola and
Kylee Stokes to take the set, 26-24, and extend the match.
In the fourth set, the Spartans again raced out to an early lead. Trailing 8-2, the Aggies slowly creeped back into the set, trimming the lead to as few as two points. Ultimately, the comeback fell short as San Jose State kept enough distance for a 25-22 win in the set and a 3-1 win for the match.
The Aggies outhit the Spartans for the match, .264 to .197, but were unable to overcome 14 service aces from SJSU. Senior
Corinne Larsen led USU in the effort, hitting a career-high .722 for 13 kills to go alongside six blocks. Fellow senior
Kristy Franks posted a team-high 16 kills. Stall posted a double-double with 11 kills and 14 digs. Stokes added 10 kills while also tying for the team lead in blocks with seven along with Mehtola. Freshman
Beatriz Rodrigues posted her third-straight double-double with 18 digs and 24 assists, both leading the team.
The Aggies remain one victory away from clinching a spot in the MW tournament. A loss by Fresno State would also secure USU's spot in the postseason.
Utah State will look to rebound from Thursday's loss when they take on Nevada on Saturday, Nov. 13, at 2 p.m. in Reno. The Aggies are 7-0 this season in games immediately following a loss.
Fans can follow the Aggie volleyball program on Twitter, @USUVolleyball, on Facebook at /USUVolleyball or on Instagram, @usuvolleyball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter, @USUAthletics, Facebook at /USUAthletics and on Instagram, @USUAthletics.
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