CORVALLIS, Oregon – Utah State volleyball (6-2) swept Portland (5-3) in its final match of the Oregon State-hosted Asics Invitational in Corvallis, Oregon, on Saturday.
USU started off the day with a 25-14 set one win. After the Pilots scored the opening point, a 6-1 Aggie run gave Utah State the 6-2 edge. USU extended the lead to 9-4 following a block from senior outside hitter Shelby Capllonch and senior middle blocker Kennedi Boyd. Portland cut the lead to 13-10, but Utah State responded with a 7-0 run, capped by a service ace from junior defensive specialist Abby Peterson, to take the double-digit lead 20-10. After a 3-0 Pilot run, the Aggies closed out the set with a 5-1 spurt with junior middle blocker Inka Mehtola recording the set-clinching kill as USU won 25-14.
An ace from redshirt sophomore libero Jordi Holdaway gave USU the 7-4 lead in set two. Portland fought back to take a one-point lead before a kill from junior outside hitter Tatum Stall tied it at 11-apiece. The set stayed close until a 5-0 Aggie run, capped by a kill from senior opposite side hitter Kylee Stokes, extended the USU edge to 22-16. After Utah State earned set point, a quick Portland run trimmed the margin to 24-22. However, a block from Mehtola and Stall secured the 25-22 set two victory.
The Pilots led early in the third set, but the Aggies stayed within striking distance until a Stokes kill tied it up at 10-each. After trading points, a 9-0 USU spurt gave Utah State the double-digit lead at 22-12. Another Aggie block to finish the set, this time from Boyd and graduate opposite side hitter Emilee Turner, clinched the 25-16 set victory and match sweep.
Overall, Utah State hit .299 (44-15-97), while holding Portland to a .073 mark (25-18-95). Stall led the way with a match-best 12 kills.
Both Aggie setters finished the match with double-doubles as freshman Leah Wilton-LaBoy had 20 assists and 11 digs, while sophomore Beatriz Rodrigues had 13 assists and 10 digs. Mehtola and Boyd led USU with five blocks each, while Stall posted a match-high four service aces.
Utah State returns to the Wayne Estes Center to host Utah Valley (4-3) on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 7 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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