Ags sweep up
All-American selection Liz McArthur led the Aggies past the Spartans in straight sets, 3-0 for USU’s first win in the Western Athletic Conference Thursday night. The Aggies quickly disposed of San Jose State, 25-18, 25-20 and 25-12, while the senior outside hitter had a team-high 17 kills and a .342 hitting percentage.
“Liz had a really nice night,” Utah State head coach Grayson DuBose said. “She played like she’s capable of playing.”
USU started well and had little trouble handling a shorter San Jose State front line in the first set, despite losing junior outside hitter Josselyn White to an ankle injury.
“It’s unfortunate that Josselyn got hurt,” DuBose said. “We hope she recovers quickly. It is what it is, and we’ll make it work however we have to. We’re waiting and seeing.”
Stepping up for the injured White was freshman outside hitter Rachel Orr, who came in early in the match and recorded five kills and six digs on the night.
“Rachel is a nice volleyball player, and she’s gonna be a real player by the time she’s done here at Utah State,” DuBose said.
“I am so excited for what she’s gonna do for Utah State in the future,” McArthur said. “She came in strong, swinging away, and we just made sure to keep our composure and not try and worry about (White’s injury) so much until after the game.”
The Spartans made a game of it in the second set, showing some offensive firepower of their own, but it wasn’t enough. The Aggies answered each of San Jose State’s runs, using a 4-1 run to put the set away, which ended the same way as the rest, with a kill by McArthur, 25-20.
DuBose said the whole team played hard the entire time.
“When we had a chance to put them away we did,” DuBose said. “We didn’t let them back in the match and I thought that was a real benefit to us.”
From there it was all downhill. The Aggie offense, combined with a meltdown by the Spartans, saw USU run away with the final set, 25-12. The Aggies raced to a 8-1 lead, and San Jose never got closer than three the rest of the way. Red shirt freshman Paige Neves recorded 29 assists in the route.
“We came out focused and ready to play,” Neves said. “I think that made the difference in how we started out. We just have to do what we do best and just keep playing hard.”
The Aggies next face No. 11 Rainbow Wahine of the University of Hawaii in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. Last time these two teams met was in the WAC Championship last season, when the Aggie’s ended the then 3rd ranked Wahine’s streak of 10 consecutive WAC Championships.
“They’re gonna have a chip on their back after the last time we met,” McArthur said. “We are going to have to come out really strong in that match.”
Coach DuBose said he is eager for the match.
“Hawaii is good, Hawaii is always good,” he said. “They’re big and strong and athletic, and they just seem to reload, year after year. They do a great job. They ball control really well. We’re gonna have to play very, very well. They’re the No. 11 team for a reason; they’re a good volleyball program.”
The match is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 24, at 2 p.m., and DuBose said he hopes to fill the stadium.
“Its gonna be Homecoming,” DuBose said. “I hope a bunch of people come out and watch the match. It’s kind of exciting. As many people as we can get here, lets make Hawaii uncomfortable at the beautiful Smith Spectrum.”
– curtis.lundstrom@aggiemail.usu.edu