LOGAN, Utah – Utah State volleyball (5-9, 5-9 MW) wrapped up the home portion of its season Thursday, posting a 3-1 win over San José State (6-9, 6-9 MW).
The Aggies took the early lead with a 25-22 win in set one. The Spartans responded, making a late run to take set two, 26-24. Utah State then took control back, winning the third and fourth sets by scores of 25-19.
Utah State celebrated its senior class prior to Thursday's match. Opposite side hitter Bailey Downing and setter Elle Nesbitt each played their last home contest in the win over the Spartans. Nesbitt finished the night with seven assists, four digs and one service ace. Downing hit .250 in the win, tallying eight kills and four blocks. With one match still to play this season, Downing has secured a place on the USU total blocks record list, sitting in 10th place with 312. She needs just one more block assist to earn a spot on that list.
Overall, freshman outside hitter Tatum Stall led the Aggies with 17 kills, while junior middle blocker Autumn Spafford hit a team-high .385 (6-1-13). Sophomore setter Kalena Vaivai led the team with 28 assists, while freshman libero Abby Peterson had a team-high 15 digs. The Aggies had 12 total blocks to the Spartans' six, led by a season-high 10 block assists from Spafford.
The score was tied several times throughout the night, with 12 total lead changes. While the teams were more back-and-forth in the first set, the Aggies led from start to finish in the third and fourth sets. The Aggie attack dominated the first set of the match, hitting a blistering .464 with just one error. Every Utah State player finished the night with a positive attack percentage, while each attacker recorded at least five kills.
Utah State hit .254 (49-15-134) on the night, while San José State hit .159 (54-30-151).
Utah State will close the delayed 2020 season on the road, playing at New Mexico on Saturday, April 3, at 1 p.m.
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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