ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – Utah State volleyball opened its Mountain West schedule with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-16) sweep of New Mexico on Thursday night at the Johnson Center. 
 
Set One
The Aggies maintained control throughout, beginning with a 4-0 burst to start the match. Sophomore opposite side hitter Loryn Helgesen recorded two kills while sophomore outside hitter Andrea Simovski and redshirt freshman middle blocker Lauren Larkin each recorded a kill to set the early tone for USU. Another 4-0 burst pushed Utah State's lead to 9-3 to force a Lobo timeout. New Mexico then battled back to within a single point at 16-15 before USU reaffirmed control with a 7-2 stretch. Helgesen recorded her second ace of the set while Larkin added another kill and a block alongside sophomore outside hitter Mara Štiglic to power the run. The Aggie defense persisted as Helgesen and Larkin joined together for a block to seal the 25-19 opening-set victory.
 
Set Two
After both sides battled to a draw midway through the second set, kills from Larkin and sophomore setter Kaylie Kofe plus an ace from Štiglic turned momentum back to USU's side via a 4-0 run. After the Lobos responded to claw back within one, the Aggies blitzed the home side with a 7-0 burst. Senior middle blocker Tierney Barlow scored back-to-back kills during the run while Simovski added a kill and ace to push USU to a 23-16 lead. Following a furious Lobo rally, Larkin provided the clinching kill for the 25-22 victory.
 
Set Three
Needing to win to force another set, the Lobos jumped in front by four points early in the third set before the Aggies pounced with another 7-0 run to regain the advantage. Larkin began the run with a kill before Simovski posted four-straight kills to erase UNM's lead. After trading rallies following the run, Utah State cemented its control with an 8-1 run to effectively shut the door. Barlow recorded another pair of kills during the run and also tag-teamed a block alongside Simovski. USU further avoided any drama as Štiglic supplied the final kill for the 25-16 victory.
 
Quick Notes

• Utah State recorded a .267 hitting percentage, the team's second-highest mark this season. The Aggies also held the Lobos to a .130 hitting percentage, also the team's second-best mark this season.
• USU held the Lobos to only 26 kills, their second-straight match holding the opponent to only 26 kills after doing so versus Weber State. Both matches are tied to the fewest kills by an Aggie opponent since Utah State held Nevada to only 17 kills on Nov. 18, 2023.
• Kofe recorded her team-leading fourth double-double of the season with 44 assists and 13 digs. Kofe's 44 digs are tied for the fifth-most in a three-set match by any player in the nation this season and the most by any MW player.
• USU had three players record 10 or more kills for the fifth time this season. Simovski led the Aggies with 14 kills while Štiglic and Barlow finished with 12 and 10 kills, respectively. 
• Larkin posted career-highs of seven kills and a .700 hitting percentage, also adding two blocks.
• Štiglic and Helgesen each recorded two aces to lead the Aggies.
• The Aggies opened Mountain West play with a victory for the fourth time in the past five seasons.

 
Up Next
The Aggies face Grand Canyon in Phoenix on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 2 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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