STANFORD, California – Utah State volleyball lost, 3-0 (25-13, 25-19, 25-16), to No. 5-ranked Stanford on Friday night at Maples Pavilion.
 
Set One
The Aggies struck first in the opening set, claiming early leads following kills from sophomore outside hitter Delaney Lawson and senior middle blocker Tierney Barlow. The Cardinal, however, backed up their No. 5 ranking, taking control via an 8-3 stretch. Utah State fought to remain within striking distance before Stanford closed the set on an 8-1 run to take the opening frame, 25-13.
 
Set Two
Sophomore outside hitter Mara Štiglic led the Aggie charge to open the second set, recording five kills during the team's first 11 points to put USU up near the midway point of the frame. A pair of kills from Barlow supplemented kills from sophomore outside hitter Andrea Simovski and redshirt freshman middle blocker Lauren Larkin to further help Utah State maintain a slim lead. The Cardinal jumped in front using a 4-1 burst, however, and after the Aggies fought through several rallies to remain within one point, Stanford again closed out the set on a run, this time scoring seven of the final nine points to win, 25-19.
 
Set Three
USU opened the scoring for the third-straight set before Stanford responded with five unanswered to take the advantage. The Aggies battled back within one point at 9-8 with Simovski leading the charge with a pair of kills. The Cardinals responded with another run, taking 11 of the next 13 rallies. Utah State battled for a comeback with a late 4-1 run as Barlow combined with Simovski for a block before registering a kill, but the Aggies were unable to reel in the Cardinal as Stanford clinched the match with a 25-16 win in the final frame. 
 
Quick Notes

• Utah State finished a streak of three-straight matches against top-25 teams, only the second such stretch for the program since 1998 and the first since 2022. 
• Štiglic led the Aggies with 10 kills, her fourth match this season with double-digit kills, while hitting .143 and adding two blocks.
• Barlow posted a team-high three blocks while sophomore setter Kaylie Kofe led the way with 23 assists and six digs. 
• Larkin made her first career start and finished with new career-highs of two kills and two blocks.

 
Up Next
The Aggies remain in Stanford, California, to take on UC Davis in a neutral match on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 4 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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