FRESNO, Calif. – Utah State volleyball (0-5, 0-5 MW) opened its weekend in a 3-1 loss at Fresno State Friday. 

The Aggies took the first set of the night, 25-23, winning its first set in since the season opener against Wyoming. Fresno State rebounded, taking the next three sets (25-18, 25-20, 25-23) and the first match of the two-contest series. 

Senior opposite side hitter Bailey Downing led the USU attack with 11 kills. Junior middle blocker Corinne Larsen followed with nine, hitting .304 (9-2-23) on the night. Sophomore setter Kalena Vaivai tallied 32 assists to go with 13 digs for her second double-double of the season. Sophomore libero Grace DuBay had a team-high 18 digs, while Larsen led the Aggies on the block with seven. 

While Fresno State jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the first set, an early USU timeout sparked the Aggies to keep things closer throughout the rest of the match. Utah State closed out the set on an 8-3 run, taking a late lead to end an 11-set losing streak. Roles reversed a bit in the second set, as the Aggies led early on and the Bulldogs battled back to take their largest victory of the night. Fresno State's biggest lead of the night came midway through the third set, but four-straight points from USU cut into the deficit. Things were tied in the fourth set as late as 23-23 before Fresno State closed it out. 

Overall, Utah State hit .110 (40-24-145) in the match, while Fresno State hit .187 (53-25-150).  

The Aggies and Bulldogs will return to competition on Saturday, Feb. 27, in an 8 p.m. (MT) match. 

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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