FORT COLLINS, Colorado – Utah State volleyball fell to league-leading Colorado State 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-18) on Saturday afternoon at Moby Arena.
Set One
The Aggies battled early as neither side led by more than two points in the opening set until CSU pieced together a 5-0 run to jump ahead at 13-10. Junior outside hitter
Sami Blackett led USU's efforts for a comeback with seven total kills in the opening set. Utah State twice cut the deficit down to a single point following kills from juniors middle blocker
Solia Angilau and outside hitter
Ava Nakai, but was unable to completely reel in the Rams as a late 4-0 run from the home side helped secure a 25-20 win for Colorado State.
Set Two
Colorado State kept the momentum into the second frame, opening with a 7-2 run. A kill from junior outside hitter
Olivia Ruy halted the run a kickstarted a 5-1 stretch from USU to claw back within one. CSU re-extended the lead to six points, but Utah State again responded with four-straight points as Angilau scored a kill and a block alongside Ruy. Colorado State scored back-to-back points to stop the run and used another 5-1 stretch to regain control of the set on the way to a 25-16 win.
Set Three
Kills from Blackett and Ruy powered an early 3-0 run from USU to begin set three before the Rams wrestled the lead away with a 5-1 burst. After fighting through several rallies, CSU went on a 8-2 run to take firm command of the frame. The Aggies scored four-straight in a comeback bid as graduate right side hitter
Lauren Bodily posted a pair of kills but USU was unable to threaten Colorado State's lead as the league leaders wrapped up a 25-18 win to take the match.
Quick Notes
- Blackett led the Aggies with 10 kills and added three digs and a block.
- Junior middle blocker Ava Napierski led the team with two blocks alongside four kills and the team's lone ace in the match.
- Sophomore libero/defensive specialist posted a team-high 12 digs.
- Sophomore setter Silina Damuni led USU with 15 assists and added six digs while senior setter Olivia Tukuafu added seven assists and two digs.
Up Next
The Aggies (3-14, 2-5 Pac-12) continue a four-match road trip next week at Boise State on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 6 p.m. (MT).
Tickets
Single-game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through
the USU online ticket office.
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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