LEXINGTON, Kentucky – Utah State volleyball fell 3-1 in a neutral match to Eastern Kentucky on Saturday afternoon at the Historic Memorial Coliseum.
Set One
Both sides fought to a near-standstill in the first set as neither team built a multi-point lead until the Aggies scored back-to-back points to take a 20-18 lead, kickstarting a 7-2 run to close out a 25-20 first set win. Junior outside hitter
Sami Blackett began the run with a kill before senior middle blocker
Sophie Scott and junior outside hitter
Ava Nakai combined for a block. Blackett added an ace, her second of the opening set, before Scott then posted a pair of kills to cement the 1-0 lead for USU.
Set Two
The Colonels answered back in the second frame, scoring four-straight points early in the set. The Aggies fought back, using a 3-0 run featuring kills from Blackett and senior right side hitter
Lauren Bodily to trim the deficit to 11-9 before EKU re-extended the lead. After reaching set point, USU fought off six-consecutive set points. Sophomore setter
Silina Damuni registered an ace and assisted kills to Bodily, Nakai and Scott during the run while Blackett added a solo block before Eastern Kentucky halted the run to take the second set, 25-21.
Set Three
EKU again built a lead to start the third set, using a 7-1 burst to take a five-point lead. Again, USU battled from behind, using a late 5-1 run to cut into the deficit as junior outside hitter
Olivia Ruy scored two kills while Scott and junior middle blocker
Ava Napierski added a block in the comeback bid. Time again ran out, however, as EKU took a 2-1 lead with a 25-18 set victory.
Set Four
Utah State began the fourth set with kills from six different Aggies, helping USU build a two-point lead early in the frame. Another Colonel run, however, ultimately doomed the Aggies as EKU used a 9-1 run to again take control. USU again showed heart as Napierski tallied two kills and Ruy added another before the duo teamed together for a block, powering. 5-1 burst to lead a comeback attempt. Another 4-1 spurt led by a pair of kills from Bodily trimmed EKU's lead to two points on multiple occasions in the final stages of the frame. The comeback again fell short, though, as Eastern Kentucky clinched the match with a 25-22 victory.
Quick Notes
- Bodily led the Aggies and set a new career high with 17 kills while hitting .350 on 40 attempts.
- Blackett was the second Aggie with double-digit kills, adding 11 alongside a team-high two aces, while Ruy narrowly missed the plateau with nine kills.
- Nakai added seven kills on a team-best .417 hitting percentage. Scott and Napierski added seven and six kills, respectively, while the trio tied for the team lead with two blocks apiece.
- Senior setter Olivia Tukuafu posted a team-high 26 assists plus one kill and three digs while Damuni added 21 assists and eight digs.
- Sophomore libero/defensive specialist Lily LaFlesch came one dig away from her career-high, finishing with a team-high 19 for the match.
- Utah State hit .235 as a team, finishing with 55 assists on 60 kills alongside 47 digs, five blocks and three aces. EKU hit .305 and was led by a triple-double by Emilee Hill who finished with 15 kills, 27 assists and 11 digs.
Up Next
Utah State (0-2, 0-0 Pac-12) concludes their season-opening weekend at the Bluegrass Battle on Sunday at 10 am (MT) against South Florida.
Tickets
Season tickets, single-game tickets and the USU women's sports pass 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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