HONOLULU, Hawaii – Utah State volleyball opened the season with a tough battle against San Diego before ultimately falling in five sets, 3-2 (16-25, 25-17, 25-15, 19-25, 15-12). The Toreros entered the season receiving votes in the AVCA/TARAFLEX Preseason Top 25.
 
Set One
The Aggies began the match on fire, hitting .333 in the opening set en route to winning, 25-16. USU opened the match with a 10-2 run featuring kills from sophomore outside hitters Andrea Simovski and Mara Štiglic, sophomore opposite side hitter Loryn Helgesen and senior middle blocker Tierney Barlow. The Toreros responded with a 4-0 run to claw back within four points but Utah State held the opposition from trimming the deficit any further. The Aggies closed the set on a 4-0 run with Barlow supplying a kill and ace to help USU cement the first-set victory. 
 
Set Two
After beginning the second frame with a tight battle, San Diego used a pair of 4-0 runs to take an eight-point lead late. The Aggies battled back with a 4-0 run of their own to draw with 21-17, with Štiglic recording two kills and sophomore middle blocker Ava Napierski adding one of her own to power the attempted comeback. USD, however, answered with their third 4-0 run of the set to win 25-17 and tie the match.
 
Set Three
San Diego maintained momentum with a 6-0 run early in the third set, further cementing control of the frame with a 6-1 burst. The Aggies were unable to build a comeback in the final moments as the Toreros took a 2-1 lead in the match with a 25-15 victory. 
 
Set Four
Simovski kicked off USU's drive to force a fifth set with a pair of kills to open the fourth frame. After both sides jostled for the lead, USU took a four-point lead courtesy of a 5-1 stretch. San Diego cut the lead down to two points on multiple occasions before the Aggies shut the door with another 5-1 run late in the set. Simovski recorded another pair of kills before Barlow added a pair of kills to clinch the 25-19 win and force a fifth set.
 
Set Five
The Toreros made the first move of the fifth set, going up 6-3 to force an Aggie timeout. Kills from Štiglic and Napierski brought USU back within one before the teams began alternating the ensuing eight rallies. After a Torero attack error, Barlow and sophomore setter Kaylie Kofe then teamed up for a block to push the Aggies ahead. In the closing moments, however, USD recorded a pair of kills and a block to claim a 15-12 win to take the match.
 
Quick Notes

• Utah State hit .154 as a team, finishing with 58 kills and 52 assists. San Diego hit .250 for the match with 50 kills and 46 assists. 
• Štiglic led the Aggies with 15 kills while hitting .184. Barlow added 14 kills on a .194 hitting percentage, while Simovski posted a team-best .211 hitting percentage and recorded 13 kills. 
• Kofe posted a double-double with 45 assists plus 11 digs.
• Junior libero/defensive specialist Kendel Thompson recorded a team-high 22 digs, one short of her career-high. 

 
Up Next
The Aggies continue their weekend at the Rainbow Wahine Volleyball Classic in Honolulu, Hawai'i, facing tournament-host Hawaii on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 11 p.m. (MT). USU will then close the weekend against Marquette on Sunday, Aug. 31, at 6:45 p.m. (MT).
 
Season tickets, mini-plans, and single-game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here or by contacting the USU Ticket Office at 435-797-0305.
 
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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