LOGAN, Utah – Utah State volleyball concluded its nonconference schedule on Saturday afternoon with a 3-0 loss at No. 24 BYU at the Smith Fieldhouse.
Set One
The Aggies started strong, using an early 6-0 run to jump ahead of the Cougars. Junior outside hitters
Sami Blackett and
Olivia Ruy each posted a pair of kills during the run while Blackett also teamed with junior middle blocker
Ava Napierski for a block as USU went up by three points. Utah State kept the pressure on as sophomore outside hitter
Addy Cook recorded a pair of kills around another kill from Ruy to extend USU's lead to its largest extent at 15-10. Coming out of the media timeout, BYU regrouped and went on a 9-0 to take control of the set. Napierski and Ruy recorded another block and Blackett added a kill late, but USU was unable to reclaim its momentum as BYU took a 25-19 win to open the match.
Set Two
Utah State again started strong in the second set, scoring four of the first five points. Ruy added two kills in the opening stretch while junior outside hitter
Justyna Novakova recorded an ace to give USU a 4-1 lead. The Cougars responded with 5-1 and 6-0 bursts to again wrestle control away from the Aggies. Blackett and Napierski each recorded multiple kills down the stretch while Novakova notched her third ace of the match as USU attempted a comeback, but the Aggies were unable to threaten the lead as BYU went up 2-0 with a 25-18 win.
Set Three
USU again made an early move at the start of set three, jumping ahead with a 3-0 run featuring another blocker from Napierski and Ruy plus a kill by freshman middle blocker
Taytum Nelson. The Cougars again battled back, however, using a 7-1 run to take a five-point lead at the media timeout. USU's attempts to come back in the contest were led by kills from Nelson and Blackett plus a solo block from Napierski, but BYU held on for a 25-17 win to take the match.
Quick Notes
- Ruy led the Aggies with 11 kills while adding two blocks. Blackett was the lone other Aggie in double figures with 10 kills while added five blocks plus a block, assist and ace.
- Sophomore setter Silina Damuni recorded her third-consecutive double-double, finishing with 26 assists and 13 digs.
- Novakova finished with a career-high three aces to lead the team and has now recorded seven aces in her past three matches.
- Napierski led the team with four blocks and also added four kills.
Up Next
Utah State (1-9, 0-0 Pac-12) officially begins its inaugural season in the Pac-12, beginning at Texas State on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 5 p.m. (MT), before returning to Club Estes to host Gonzaga on Saturday, Sept. 26, at noon (MT) in USU's first home Pac-12 contest.
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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