CEDAR CITY, Utah – Utah State volleyball (7-4) played its final non-conference road match Wednesday, posting a 3-1 win over Southern Utah.
The Aggies took control early, dominating the first two sets to win 25-12 and 25-15. The Thunderbirds bounced back to take the third set, 25-23, but USU was able to secure the match with a 25-16 win in the fourth.
While Southern Utah scored the first point of the match, Utah State answered with a 6-0 run. The teams traded points for a short time, but the Aggies put up another six-straight points then closed the set with four in a row. The Thunderbirds led early on in the second, before the Aggies tied the score at 8-all. An SUU service error started a 5-0 run for USU, where the Aggies doubled up on the Thunderbirds. Southern Utah made one last push, but a kill from senior middle blocker
Corinne Larsen ended the set.
In the third, Utah State's only lead came at the 2-1 mark, and the set was otherwise controlled by Southern Utah. Alternating points got the Aggies within two, but an attack error gave the Thunderbirds the final point needed. The dominating USU offense returned in the fourth set, where the Aggies led from start to finish. The final point came on an SUU attack, with the ball going out of bounds.
"Our passing was outstanding which allowed our setters to really showcase our middles," said USU head coach
Rob Neilson.
Larsen led the Aggie attack with a career-high 17 kills while hitting .516 (17-1-31). Junior middle
Kennedi Boyd was right behind her, also recording a career-high with 16 kills and a .536 (16-1-28) hitting percentage. Sophomore outside hitter
Tatum Stall ended the night with a team-best 13 digs, while freshman setter
Kalia Thunstrom led the team with 25 assists. Overall, Utah State hit .356 (57-9-135), while holding Southern Utah to .110 (43-26-154).
Utah State returns home this weekend to close the non-conference portion of its season. The Aggies host Idaho State on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 6 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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