SANTA BARBARA, California – Utah State volleyball attempted a comeback with a third-set victory but fell short at UC Santa Barbara 3-1 on Saturday night at The Thunderdome.
Set One
USCB quickly accumulated a 4-1 lead in the first set. After back-and-forth scoring, Utah State battled back with a four-point run to knot the set at 12-12, capitalizing on several attacking errors from the Gauchos. UCSB regained momentum to close out the set 25-17, with some resistance from junior outside hitter
Sami Blackett who recorded a couple of kills late in the set.
Set Two
The Aggies played comeback in the second set after a 9-1 run put them down nine. They countered with aces from sophomore defensive specialist
Sadie Warren and graduate senior middle blocker
Sophie Scott, while junior outside hitter
Olivia Ruy contributed with three kills in the set. After bringing the margin back within three, the Aggies eventually fell 25-19.
Set Three
Utah State came back fighting after the break with a revived offense. After creating a gradual lead, sophomore outside hitter
Addy Cook came on the scene, sparking a six-point run that led to the Aggies the largest lead of the evening 21-12. Cook recorded six kills in the set, including four in the pivotal run. Juniors outside hitter
Ava Nakai and middle blocker
Ava Napierski capped off the 25-17 set win with a block for the final point.
Set Four
After battling to a 9-8 lead following a block from Blackett and Scott, the Gauchos regained control of the contest with a 6-0 burst. USU's comeback never truly gained traction despite back-to-back points from Cook via a kill and a block alongside Scott as UCSB closed out a 25-15 win to claim the match.
Quick Notes
- Sophomore setter Silina Damuni recorded a double-double, setting a new career high with 24 assists along with 11 digs.
- Blackett led the team in both kills and blocks, tallying nine and four, respectively.
- Napierski hit .455 on 11 attempts, along with two blocks.
- The Aggies combined for a season-high seven service aces, with Blackett and Warren earning two apiece.
- Cook finished with a season-high seven kills plus a block.
- Sophomre libero/defensive specialist Lily LaFlesch led the Aggies with 15 digs, also contributing three assists and an ace.
Up Next
Utah State (0-5, 0-0 Pac-12) returns home to reopen Club Estes for the first time in 2026, hosting UCLA on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. (MT). The Aggies will then attempt to break the Utah state attendance record for volleyball and sell out the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum on Friday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. (MT), against Utah.
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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