USU unable to solve Lobos’ Riddle, get swept
The Aggie volleyball team opened a home campaign against Mountain West Conference rival New Mexico Thursday. The Lobos swept the Aggies 3-0 (20-25, 15-25, 18-25) at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
With the loss to New Mexico, the Aggies dropped to 9-6 overall and 3-2 in MWC play. The Aggies had their lowest recorded attack percentage against New Mexico, who lead the MWC in blocks per set at 4.7.
“They put up a good block,” said sophomore opposite side hitter Elle Brainard. “We’re in a new conference now. That’s kind of what we were expecting out of the Mountain West Conference, so it’s just a new feeling for us moving out of the WAC.”
New Mexico drew first blood in set one and extended their lead to 5-2. A kill by Brainard and a Lobo error tied the match 7-7, but the Aggies continued to trail for the majority of the set.
The Lobos went on to take advantage 24-18 before the Aggies scored twice in a row, forcing New Mexico to take their first timeout of the set. The Lobos came back from the time out to take the first set 25-20.
New Mexico went up 3-2 in the the first set before an Aggie block tied the match 3-3, but the Lobos continued to pull away, extending their lead to 15-7. A dig by freshman Hannah Gleason followed by a Lobo error brought some excitement back into the Spectrum, but while the Aggies continued to fight, they fell 25-15.
The Aggies came back from the first break with a new fire. A kill each by Brainard and junior Rachel Orr put the Aggies up 4-0, their biggest lead of the night.
With two serves into the net, the Lobos allowed the Aggies to extend their lead to 9-7. An Aggie error turned the lead over to the Lobos for the first time, forcing the Aggies to take their first timeout of the match.
New Mexico pulled out for a 22-14 lead and the Aggies began to pull back, closing the gap to 22-18. A well-timed kill by the Lobos gave them advantage and an Aggie error ended the match, 25-18.
“We didn’t play well,” said head coach Grayson Dubose. “We didn’t pass well, we didn’t hit well. We didn’t communicate amongst ourselves.”
“It was a rough night for us,” Brainard said. “(It) wasn’t our night. We weren’t really clicking. We didn’t have enough passion, and we didn’t play the way we usually play.”
The Aggies will now hit the road to take on Colorado State at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10 in Fort Collins.
– mled94@gmail.com
Twitter: @emily_seamqueen