MORAGA/SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Utah State volleyball (5-3) opened competition at the Bay Area Invitational Friday, falling to CSU Bakersfield, 3-2, and defeating San Francisco, 3-0.

MATCH ONE
The Aggies played their third consecutive five-set match against CSU Bakersfield. The Roadrunners took the first two sets, 25-23 and 25-22, but the Aggies bounced back to take the third and fourth sets, 25-19 and 25-21. CSU Bakersfield clinched the match with a 15-11 win in the fifth. 

The teams kept things tight to start the match, but the Aggies pulled ahead thanks to a 5-0 run highlighted by a pair of service aces from sophomore outside hitter Tatum Stall. With USU ahead 20-15, CSUB went on a 9-0 run to take command of the set. The second set stayed close throughout as the teams went from alternating points to trading runs. 

CSU Bakersfield took the first point of the third set, but the Aggies responded and led for the remainder of the set. A 5-0 run highlighted the set for USU on freshman setter Kalia Thunstrom's serve who made her collegiate debut in the match. Utah State again led for the majority of the time in the fourth, trailing only at the 20-19 mark. A Roadrunner attack error secured the final point for the Aggies. CSU Bakersfield came out strong in the fifth, leading wire-to-wire. 

Utah State had three players record double-digit kills in the loss, led by Stall with 13. Junior middle blocker Kennedi Boyd followed with 12 and senior outside Kristy Frank added 10. Junior setter Kalena Vaivai recorded a double-double as she tallied 30 assists and 13 digs, leading the team in both categories. The Aggies posted a season-high 16 blocks, led by Boyd who tallied eight block assists. As a team, USU hit .172 (58-29-169), while CSUB hit .188 (55-28-144).

MATCH TWO
Utah State got back in the win column Friday night, sweeping San Francisco, 25-18, 25-22 and 25-11.

The Aggies trailed early in the first set, but quickly bounced back. A pair of 6-0 runs gave USU the advantage that it kept for the remainder of the set, while the team earned the final point on a USF service error. San Francisco led by as many as six in the second set, but the Aggies took the lead back at 16-15, keeping it for the remainder of the set. Utah State led from start to finish in the third, claiming the match on a block from senior middle blocker Corinne Larsen. 

The scoring computer at San Francisco crashed halfway through the third set, so final stats are not correct. An updated box score and season stats will be available on Saturday morning.  

Utah State will wrap-up play in the Bay Area Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 11, playing at Saint Mary's at 2 p.m. (MT). 

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.