LOGAN, Utah – Utah State volleyball capped off its nonconference schedule in style, sweeping Weber State, 3-0 (25-14, 25-16, 25-21) on Saturday afternoon at the Wayne Estes Center.
 
Set One
The Aggies dominated the match from the start as senior middle blocker Tierney Barlow set USU off and running with a pair of kills to open the match. After maintaining a slim lead over the Wildcats, Utah State exploded for a 12-0 run with sophomore outside hitter Andrea Simovski at the service line. Simovski registered four service aces during the stretch as USU built a 22-8 lead. Amidst a pair of 3-0 runs by the Wildcats, sophomore outside hitter Mara Štiglic recorded Utah State's final four points of the set, all kills, to seal the 25-14 opening-set victory.
 
Set Two
The Aggies again went on a run with Simovski again at the service line to open the second frame, scoring the first four points of the set, three of which came on Štiglic kills. USU's lead steadily grew with a 7-2 stretch midway through the set pushing the advantage to 17-10 with Štiglic again supplying the firepower with four kills during the run. Another 5-0 burst pushed the Aggies' lead to double digits with Simovski and sophomore opposite side hitter Loryn Helgesen each recording a kill while Simovski and Barlow also teamed up for a block to effectively ice away the set for USU.
 
Set Three
Utah State again pressed the issue to begin the third set as Barlow recorded a kill, block and an ace to power an early 5-1. The Wildcats answered back this time with a 7-0 burst to take their first multi-point lead of the match. The Aggies answered in kind with an 8-0 run with junior libero/defensive specialist Kendel Thompson powering the run from the service line. USU recorded three blocks during the run with Barlow recording a solo block and teaming with Simovski on the other two. Simovski also recorded four kills to help the Aggies take a four-point lead. Štiglic recorded another three kills to help push USU closer to match point where Barlow ultimately clinched the sweep with a solo block.
 
Quick Notes

• Utah State held the Wildcats to a .080 hitting percentage, the lowest opponent hitting percentage against the Aggies since USU held Nevada to a .065 hitting percentage on Nov. 18, 2023. The Aggies also hit .258 for the match, their second-highest hitting percentage of the season.
• Štiglic finished with a season-high 19 kills, also tying for the second-most kills by an Aggie in a three-set match since USU joined the Mountain West in 2013.
• Barlow finished one short of her career-high with eight blocks, including two solo. Barlow also added nine kills on a team-high .412 hitting percentage.
• Sophomore setter Kaylie Kofe led the Aggies in both assists and digs, recording her third double-double of the season with 31 assists and 11 digs. 
• Simovski's four aces are the most by an Aggie in a single match this season.
• USU's two reception errors are the lowest for any match this season. Simovski posted a perfect reception percentage on 28 total receptions.

 
Up Next
The Aggies begin Mountain West play on the road next week, taking on New Mexico on Thursday, Sept. 25, at 6:30 p.m. (MT), before facing newly-admitted Grand Canyon on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 3 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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