LOGAN, Utah – Playing in front of a program-record home crowd of 2,559 fans on Spectrum Magic Night, the magic fell just short for Utah State volleyball as the Aggies fell to Utah Valley, 3-2 (25-18, 23-25, 18-25, 25-19, 17-15), on Thursday night at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
Set One
In front of a raucous crowd, both teams eased their way into the match as neither side led more than a point through the early going. UVU eventually broke the gridlock with a 4-1 run to create some space. After the Aggies again battled back to a one-point deficit, the Wolverines went on a 6-1 run to take control and win the opening set, 25-18.
Set Two
Attempting to avoid going down by two sets, the Aggies came out of the gates swinging in the second frame. A pair of 3-0 runs put the Aggies up, 10-6, where USU maintained its multi-point lead throughout the set. A late UVU rally featuring a 4-0 run was stifled by senior
Adna Mehmedovic delivering the clinching kill for the 25-23 win.
Set Three
Utah State again came out firing in set three, throwing the first punch with a 6-1 burst to go up by five points. After a 4-0 Aggie run, USU's lead grew as large as nine points at 21-12. After a 5-1 Wolverine run threatened a close finish, the Aggies closed the door completely with a block from Mehmedovic and freshman
Ava Napierski for the 25-18 win.
Set Four
In the penultimate set, the Aggies battled to a 9-7 lead through the early stages before Utah Valley used a 7-0 burst to jump in front and take command with a 14-9 lead. Utah State trimmed the deficit down to two points but were unable to draw closer as the Wolverines took the fourth set, 25-19, to extend the match to fifth and deciding set.
Set Five
In the final frame, the two sides alternated points en route to a 4-4 tie. Over the ensuing rallies, it was UVU who managed to stake out an advantage, ultimately arriving at match point at 14-12. Just as they had in previous matches against Ohio and BYU, the Aggies rallied with their backs against the wall, reeling off three straight points to take a 15-14 lead. The Wolverines responded in kind, however, scoring three consecutive points to take the final set, 17-15.
Quick Notes
- A pair of Aggies reached double figures in kills as Mehmedovic led the way with 14 kills while freshman Loryn Helgesen finished close behind with 13 kills. Mehmedovic also led Utah State in blocks for the second match in a row, finishing with five.
- Starting her first match this season, sophomore Kendel Hone finished with a team-high 14 digs, also adding six assists and one ace.
- Freshman Kaylie Kofe led USU with a new career-high 28 assists, also adding seven digs. Freshman Kate Lijic chipped in 17 assists and narrowly missed a double-double with nine digs.
- Freshman Andrea Simovski also fell just short of a double-double, finishing with eight kills and nine digs.
- After defeating and falling to BYU, both in five sets, this is the first time USU has played in three straight full-length matches since doing so in September of 2021 against Arkansas, Montana State and Cal State Bakersfield. USU has gone the distance in four or more consecutive matches only once in program history, doing so in five straight matches in 1989.
Up Next
Utah State heads south to take on Weber State on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 6 p.m. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.
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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