USU took on New Mexico, and after taking the first two sets, it appeared that they were going to win easily before everything changed. The New Mexico Lobos changed their tactics and, in stealing the momentum, won the third set and even appeared to be taking the fourth as they led by as much as seven points late in the fourth.
They almost pushed the Aggies into a decisive fifth set. With the Lobos appearing to have everything going for them, the Aggies were able to change things around with a miraculous 11-2 run. USU was almost poised to lose the set when they scored the final seven points of the match to win, 3-1 (26-24, 25-15, 29-31, 25-23).
Sets One and Two
The first set on Thursday night at the Wayne Estes Center went back and forth. Each team countered small runs with each other with 4-1 runs of their own. They met momentarily, tying at 8 when New Mexico got some grit in their game and jumped ahead 12-8. The Aggies struck back when the Lobos came back, tying it at 22. Each side scored, keeping things tied and close until freshman Mara Stiglic got a kill, which put USU ahead. The Aggies took the set 26-24, which gave the Lobos heartbreak.
The second set started in the same pattern as the first set ended. New Mexico only momentarily charged forward, giving them a single point lead 10-9. That would be their only lead in the set. The Aggies went on a 7-0 unbelievable run with freshman Delaney Lawson serving. USU never let up and added a pair of kills from graduate senior Kelsey Watson and freshman Andrea Simovski. New Mexico was able to fight for a moment but couldn’t break the double-digit Aggie lead. USU closed the set 25-15.
Sets Three and Four
After a break, New Mexico started the third set with renewed strength, and after a 4-0 run, they led 10-7. The Lobos even took their lead as high as five points over the Aggies before USU wouldn’t have it and went on a 7-2 run. Suddenly, both teams found themselves tied at 19. From that point, neither side could get ahead of the other, as each team’s score only differed by a single point. It was then that New Mexico scored three points, ending the set 31-29.
In the fourth set, it appeared that the Aggies were going to follow their pattern to go five sets as New Mexico was outdoing the Aggies early on 9-5. Try as they might, the Aggies couldn’t get a foothold and cut into the advantage. The Lobos were tough enough to lead the set 21-14, and everything looked lost to the Aggies. It was then that Utah State subbed in redshirt junior Kaylie Ray and the Aggie comeback sparked to life and changed everything.
Red Shirt Game Changer
USU reeled off four straight points to trim the lead to three before UNM responded with a pair of plays to go up 23-18. A kill from freshman Loryn Helgesen halted the Lobos’ momentum before an ace from freshman Jagoda Bialek firmly swung the momentum back to USU’s side. Freshman Kaylie Kofe and junior Tierney Barlow combined for a pair of blocks during the Aggie run, while Ray recorded two kills, including the clinching point, as Utah State reeled off the final seven points of the match to take a 25-23 victory.
With this victory, USU has now won their third consecutive match. This is their first winning streak of the year with their defeat over San Diego State, UNLV, and now New Mexico. Also, with this win, USU won the second set 25-15, which was the largest margin win so far this season.
What Changes For the Aggies
Now that the match is over, Kofe finished with a career-high 52 assists, the most assists by an Aggie in a single game since Kassidy Johnson recorded 56 assists against Air Force in 2017. Kofe’s 52 assists are also the most in the Mountain West this season for a match going fewer than five sets.
Simovski recorded a double-double for the third straight game, finishing with 10 kills and 10 digs. Kofe also recorded a double-double with 10 digs, marking the third time this season multiple Aggies have recorded double-doubles in the same match.
Redshirt sophomore Kendel Thompson led the Aggies with 14 digs, her sixth time with double-digit digs in the last seven matches. Lawson led the Aggies from the service line with three aces on the night. Barlow posted a team-high six blocks, also adding two aces, while Watson finished close behind with five blocks.
Post-Game Quotes
USU Head Coach Rob Neilson had this to say following the game:
“I thought we were going five but we dug it out there at the end, so hats off to them. We were out of it. We got quiet, got a little nervous, got a little internal. But that’s the battle for young players – how do you stay consistent and trust yourself and your teammates and just compete? It’s fun to go through that and come out on the other side. That’s really big. There’s so much for us to learn and we’re learning.”
The Aggies’ next home game is against Air Force on Saturday, October 12. The Falcons lost to Nevada, 3-0, in their first MW match earlier this week.
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