BOISE, Idaho – Utah State volleyball lost to Boise State 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-21) on Thursday night at ExtraMile Arena.
Set One
An early 6-1 run gave the home side the edge in the first set. A balanced offensive attack led USU's comeback attempt as a 5-1 Aggie run featured kills from junior outside hitters
Ava Nakai,
Sami Blackett and
Olivia Ruy plus graduate middle blocker
Sophie Scott. Utah State cut the deficit to three points following a block from Nakai and junior middle blocker
Ava Napierski, but USU was unable to reel the Broncos in further as BSU took a 25-21 win to open the match.
Set Two
Boise State again jumped out early in the frame with a 5-1 run. Near the midway point, Utah State responded with a 4-0 burst featuring a block from Napierski and sophomore setter
Silina Damuni plus another kill from Ruy. After clawing back within one, however, the Broncos went on an 8-1 run to close out the set and take a 25-17 victory.
Set Three
In a bid to extend the match to a fourth set, the Aggies came out in the third frame and used a 6-0 run to take control. Ruy, Scottt and Blackett posted kills while three-straight blocks from Scott, twice alongside graduate opposite side hitter
Lauren Bodily and once alongside Ruy, powered USU to a four-point lead. BSU slowly ate away at the lead before using a 5-0 run to jump back in front. The Aggies twice cut the deficit back down to a single point but were unable to come away with the win as Boise State took a 25-21 victory to take the match.
Quick Notes
- Damuni led the Aggies in both assists and digs, recording her eighth double-double of the season with 27 assists and 12 digs.
- Ruy led USU with 10 kills and added two digs and two blocks.
- Blackett came near a double-double, finishing with seven kills and 10 digs, her sixth match this season with double-digit digs.
- Napierski posted a team-high four blocks alongside five kills while Scott ended with three blocks and four kills.
- Junior outside hitter Justyna Novakova made her first career start at libero and finished with 11 digs and three assists.
Up Next
The Aggies (3-15, 2-6 Pac-12) wrap up a four-match road trip at Oregon State on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 1 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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