PROVO, Utah – Lightning almost struck twice for Utah State volleyball. Days after erasing a seven-point deficit in the fifth set to defeat Ohio, the Aggies narrowly missed another improbable victory on Wednesday night, falling to No. 19 BYU in five sets at the Smith Fieldhouse.
Set One
After BYU darted out to a 4-1 lead, the Aggies showcased the battle the match would become, using a 5-0 run to take their first lead. Neither side could build a lead larger than two points through the remainder of the set. In the late stages, a 5-1 spurt from the Aggies turned a two-point disadvantage into a 24-22 lead. On the team's second set point, graduate senior
Kelsey Watson delivered the clinching kill to give Utah State the 25-23 victory.
Set Two
The contest remained tight in the second frame. The Aggies jumped out to a 4-2 lead before the Cougars responded with a 4-0 and 3-0 run midway through the set to retake the advantage. USU fought back, tying the match at both 19-19 and 23-23, but was ultimately unable to reclaim the lead before the Cougars claimed the set, 25-23, to tie the match.
Set Three
The opening stages of the third set seemed a harbinger of another tightly contested set before a 10-0 BYU run broke the match open. After breaking up the run, the Aggies played evenly for the remainder of the set but were unable to stage a comeback as the Cougars took a 2-1 lead.
Set Four
The Aggies erased any doubts of a lingering effect from the third set, opening the penultimate frame on a 5-1 run. However, the Cougars again seized control, going on an 11-2 run to take control. BYU's lead grew as large as seven points at 18-11. Then, Utah State dug in. A 4-0 burst highlighted the Aggies' efforts to tighten the deficit to only two points. The Cougars maintained their advantage and began serving for the match at 24-21. A pair of kills from both senior
Adna Mehmedovic and freshman Mara Stiglic helped push the Aggies back in front before a block from Mehmedovic and junior
Tierney Barlow completed the comeback for the 27-25 victory, sending the match to a fifth set,
Set Five
In the decisive set, the two sides battled through the early stages to a 6-6 draw before a 5-1 BYU run put the hosts in control of the match. This time, the comeback ran out of time as Utah State clawed back to a two-point deficit before the Cougars clinched the win, 15-11.
Quick Notes
- Mehmedovic led the Aggies in kills, her fourth time doing so this season, ending with 14 kills while hitting .296 alongside a season-high and team-leading six blocks.
- After Watson departed the match due to injury, freshman Ava Napierski stepped in and recorded a career-high five blocks, tying for second on the team alongside Barlow.
- Freshman Kaylie Kofe finished with 27 assists for the second consecutive match, leading the team and tying her career high.
- Stiglic made her collegiate debut in the third set and finished with seven kills on a .250 hitting percentage, also adding a pair of blocks.
- Freshman Jagoda Bialek again led USU with 12 digs, having done so in all but one match this season. Bialek also tied for the team lead alongside sophomore Kendel Hone with three service aces apiece.
Up Next
Utah State returns home to celebrate Spectrum Magic Night on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 8 p.m., against Utah Valley. The match will take place at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
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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