SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — In its second game of the weekend, Utah State fell short to in-state rival Utah 3-1 (31-29, 15-25, 23-25, 12-25) on Saturday evening at the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
Set One
The Aggies built a 10-5 advantage to start the contest and sustained an advantage of four points or more until the Utes went on a 5-0 scoring run late in the set to tie things at 21 a piece. Both sides battled back-and-forth, forcing extra points before the Aggies claimed the set, 31-29, on a 3-0 scoring run behind a kill from freshman Andrea Simovski and two blocks by Simovski and graduate Kelsey Watson.
Set Two
After the Aggies claimed the first point of the set, the home-side Utes launched a 4-0 scoring run, securing a lead they would never surrender. Freshman Jagoda Bialek delivered a service ace to cap a 3-0 Aggie scoring run to cut Utah's advantage to 6-5 before the Utes would again take over, eventually winning the set 25-15.
Set Three
The Utes started set three by establishing a 5-2 lead early in the set. Utah State took its first lead of the set on a 3-0 scoring run, which featured a kill by Simovski, an attack error by Utah and a block by Watson and freshman Loryn Helgesen to gain an 8-7 advantage. Both sides traded blows until the Utes used a 4-1 scoring run to outlast the Aggies 25-23.
Set Four
With all the momentum on its side, Utah made quick work of the fourth set utilizing point bursts of five, six and five to defeat Utah State 25-12.
QUICK NOTES
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Freshman Delaney Lawson led the Aggie offense with 13 kills on 29 attempts, recording a .207 hitting percentage. Lawson also logged six digs and one block on the night.
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Bialek led USU with 16 digs, followed by freshman Kaylie Kofe with nine, while sophomore Olivia Tukuafu and Simovski each totaled seven.
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Both Aggie setters finished with double-digit assists as Kofe boasted 19 assists to lead Utah State and Tukuafu added 17.
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Additionally for Utah State on offense, senior Adna Mehmedovic tallied nine kills, while Simovski tacked on eight.
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The Aggies saw three service aces on the night as Tukuafu, Watson and Simovski all notched one.
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Watson led the Aggies' blocking efforts with seven total blocks, followed by Simovski with four.
NEXT UP
Utah State concludes play at the Utah Classic by facing UTEP tomorrow at 10 a.m. (MT). The match will be available for streaming on ESPN+.
Season ticket deposits for the 2024 season are available now. Save your seat today by clicking on the following link: https://utahstateaggies.evenue.net/list/VB
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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