Utah State volleyball’s season-high four-match winning streak ended Tuesday night by Nevada. The Aggies reverted to their traditional five-set trademark in the Mountain West. However, it ended in them losing (22-25, 25-27, 25-23, 25-19, 13-15). Utah State fell to 7-11 in the season and 4-4 in league play with the loss, while the Wolf Pack improved to 11-8 in the year, including a 4-3 Mountain West record. Before this loss, Utah State had won seven straight matches against Nevada. It was also Utah State’s ninth five-set match of the season, and it now has a 4-5 record when playing five sets. This was the Pack’s third straight win, and their first win over Utah State since 2019, snapping a seven-game losing streak.
Utah State in First, Second Sets
In the first set both teams enjoyed the lead in the first set as Utah State held an early 11-7 advantage. Nevada then scored seven of the following eight points to lead 14-12. USU answered with a 5-0 run to go up 17-14, but the Wolf Pack responded with a 4-0 run to take an 18-17 lead. With the score knotted at 19-all, Nevada finished the set on a 6-3 run to post the 25-22 win.
The second set was similar to the first in that both teams enjoyed the lead. Utah State scored the first three points, but Nevada scored five of the next seven. Utah State later held a 10-9 advantage, but the Wolf Pack scored five straight points to lead 14-10. Nevada increased its lead to six points at 19-13 before the Aggies responded with a 7-0 run to advance 20-19. USU continued its advantage and was one point away from winning the set at 25-24, but Nevada scored the final three points to post the 27-25 win.
Third And Fourth Set
Nevada opened the third set with consecutive points in the third, but Utah State answered with a 4-0 run. From then on, the Aggies never trailed as they led by as many as six points at 16-10 and 20-14. The Wolf Pack did make it close as they used an 8-3 run to get within 24-23, but USU closed out the set with a 25-23 victory.
Utah State scored the first five points of the fourth set and never trailed in posting the 25-19 win. Nevada did get within two points at 11-9 and later trailed by three at 22-19, but USU closed out the set by scoring the final three points.
Revenge Of The Fifth
Utah State opened the final, fifth set with consecutive points. Nevada then went on a 5-1 run to take a 5-3 lead. USU fought back and regained the momentum courtesy of a 6-2 run to pull ahead 9-7. Nevada, however, scored three straight points to reclaim the lead at 10-9. The set was later tied at 12-all before the Wolf Pack closed on a 3-1 run to secure the win.
Despite the loss, senior opposite Adna Mehmedovic tied her career high with 19 kills. Also, junior middle blocker Tierney Barlow had a season-high of 15 kills and tied her season-high.
They weren’t the only ones who did well. Freshman Kat Lijic added 13 kills of her own, while freshman Kaylie Kofe had her season-high assist score of 52. Also, sophomore libero Kendel Thompson added her team with 17 digs, which was her team’s best.
What’s Next For USU
The Aggies will continue on the road as they head to their third match. USU is heading to Boise State and will play them on Saturday, the 19th, at noon.
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