Aggies hosting WAC’s worst
After Saturday’s five-set win over Nevada, the USU women’s volleyball team will continue their four-game homestand against Louisiana Tech, Thursday at 7 p.m in the Spectrum.
The Aggies are currently in third place in the Western Athletic Conference, with a 2-1 record in conference play and 4-10 overall this season. After losing their first eight games of the season, USU is finally warming up, winning four of its last six matches.
Louisiana Tech is 0-3 in the WAC and 2-8 overall. LTU is led by junior middle blocker KC Clayton, who is averaging 2.00 kills and 1.29 blocks per set while hitting .188. Louisiana Tech returns three starters and eight letterwinners from last season’s team, which finished ninth in the WAC with a 1-15 conference record.
LTU is led by first-year head coach Matt Sonnichsen, who has an overall coaching record of 140-119 in 10 seasons.
USU is 6-0 all-time against Louisiana, winning both matches in three sets last season.
The Aggies are led by senior outside hitter Melissa Osterloh, who is averaging 3.7 kills, 1.78 digs and 4.35 points per set this season. Despite having somewhat of an off night against Nevada, USU head coach Grayson DuBose is not worried about Osterloh.
“She’s been so good for so long and had to carry such a big role on our team, I think it’s just an anomaly more than anything else,” DuBose said, referring to her struggles Saturday. “She’ll bounce right back. She’s that type of an athlete, and I don’t worry about that kid at all.”
Sophomore setter Chelsea Fowles is also an integral part of the team, averaging 9.85 assists, 1.61 digs and 0.59 blocks per set, while hitting .345. Sophomore middle blocker Katie Astle is hitting .361, and averaging 1.76 kills and 1.02 blocks per set.
Sophomore libero Christine Morrill was recently named America First Credit Union Utah State Student-Athlete of the Week after recording a career-high 27 digs in Saturday’s match. Morrill is averaging 4.73 digs per set in league play, which ranks second in the WAC.
Morrill said Saturday’s win gives the team good momentum and confidence going into the game against Louisiana Tech.
The Aggies are in the middle of a season-long four-game homestand after going 1-1 at the Spectrum last week. After Thursday’s match, USU will finish the homestand against New Mexico State Saturday.
“We try to defend our home court,” Morrill said. “It’s good to be home, that’s for sure.”
–joseph.w@aggiemail.usu.edu