USU volleyball team defeats Denver University
Playing the second of five consecutive home games, the Utah State volleyball team won its third-straight game with a five-set marathon win over Denver University Saturday.
The Aggies fought off an early deficit in the first set and overcame four service errors to control the first set on four kills from sophomore Rachel Orr. Kassi Hargrove added two service aces and USU took the set 25-23.
Denver bounced back in the second set despite five blocks by the Utah State defense and used a 5-1 run to close out the set. The momentum continued in the third as the Pioneers jumped out to an early lead and fought off set point to take a two-games-to-one lead.
Candace Richins provided a spark off the bench and helped USU overcome another early deficit in the fourth. She had four kills in the set and Shay Sorensen added six as Utah State staved off the Pioneers and forced a decisive fifth set.
It was all Aggies in the fifth set as Denver’s offense broke down and freshman Elle Brainard took over. The 6-foot-5-inch middle blocker recorded two early kills as USU raced to a 5-1 lead and never looked back en route to a 15-7 win to seal the match.
Orr finished with 15 kills to lead the Aggies, while Sorensen added 12. Brainard and Kaitlyn VanHoff each had eight.
Utah State improved to 12-5 overall this season and 7-1 in WAC play to remain atop the league standings. Denver fell to 8-9 overall and 2-5 in the WAC.
The Aggies continue their five-game home stand with a visit from in-state rival Utah Valley on Monday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m.
curtis.lundstrom@aggiemail.usu.edu
Twitter: @curtislundstrom