Ags look to break 16-year road drought at Utah
Sixteen years is a long time to go without a victory.
Way back in 1990 was the last time the USU volleyball team won a match in Salt Lake City against the University of Utah.
With that kind of a drought, it is understandable why the Aggies are thirsty for a win this weekend when they face the No. 24 Utes Friday at 7 p.m. in the Huntsman Center as part of the 2006 Utah Classic Tournament.
USU will also face the Missouri State Bears Friday at 10 a.m., as well as the Temple Owls of the Atlantic 10 Conference Saturday at noon.
That 1990 season was one that featured seven wins for the Aggies. Two of them came against the Utes – one in Salt Lake, the other in Logan.
Ironically, the victory in Salt Lake City that year came on Sept. 8, the same date this year’s match will take place. The Aggies swept the Utes in three games.
Can the Aggies (4-2) end the skid at the 16-year mark with a 1990-like performance?
“They’ve all had tournament experience,” Aggie Head Coach Grayson DuBose said of the teams his squad will face. “So they’re a little farther along than we are. [But] you never know what happens.”
Freshman outside hitter Hailey Jeppson, who was recruited by the Utes, said, “I”m really excited to play. I’m a little scared, too. I played against a lot of the girls on that team.”
Aside from it being a longtime rivalry, the matchup with the Utes is unique for another reason.
Burt Fuller, assistant coach for the Utes, was head volleyball coach at USU from 2001 to 2005. He led the Aggies to a 21-13 record in 2005 and a second-place finish in USU’s first WAC season, as well as a trip to the NCAA tournament.
Fuller also made the NCAA tournament in 2001.
Making the move south with him was Heather Olmstead. She was a four-year starter (1998-2001) for the Aggies before holding an assistant coach spot at USU from 2003 to 2005. Her brother, Shawn, is currently one of the assistant coaches for USU.
“I can’t wait (to play Utah),” USU outside hitter Beth Hodge said. “I’m really excited about it. We’re going to go down and play hard against them. We have connections with them, and old coaches and stuff like that. I just want to go play.”
Whether or not the Aggies can come close to a victory is another question.
A look at the numbers suggests a lopsided victory for the Utes.
As a team, the Utes are hitting .244 and holding their opponents to a .135 hitting percentage. The Aggies have been held by their opponents to a .138 hitting percentage, though they have held opponents to a .143 hitting percentage.
Ute sophomore outside hitter Airial Salvo has averaged 4.76 kills, 4.53 digs and 0.76 blocks per game to lead her team.
The Utes (3-2) recorded wins against Fresno State and North Carolina last weekend and lost against No. 14 Southern California.
A new coaching staff and seven new faces on the roster have been the major obstacles the Aggies have had to overcome thus far, and after their Tuesday night victory over another in-state rival, the Weber State Wildcats, some said early season improvements were obvious.
“Two weeks ago I was saying, ‘Yea, we’re still young,'” Hodge said. “But we’re definitely coming along. The girls that are young are growing up really fast. That’s good. That’s what we need.”
DuBose agreed, adding that the team still has a ways to go.
“It’s getting better,” DuBose said. “Obviously after a win, it’s easy to say you’re getting better. [But] there are a lot of little things that we don’t do very well right now. If we’re gonna be a good team in our league, we have to improve upon those things.”
Missouri State is 5-1 on the season, and the last time they faced the Aggies was a four-game home victory in 2002.
The Owls are 5-2 and are hitting .270. The Friday morning match will be the first between the the Aggies and the Owls.