USU loses in straight sets to Colorado State

In a game in which it never led, the Utah State volleyball team lost on the road to No. 19 Colorado State, 3-0.

“We just didn’t compete hard enough for some reason,” said head coach Grayson DuBose. “They were able to put us under some pressure, and we didn’t respond very well.”

The USU offense was inefficient against the Rams, hitting .044 with 17 errors and only 21 kills on the night.

“We hit some good shots, but if you keep hitting the same shots they start to figure it out,” DuBose said.

USU struggled from the beginning as CSU used a 4-0 run to take a 6-1 lead in the first set. Consecutive attacking errors by the Rams brought the Aggies to 6-3, but a 5-0 run by CSU led to a 13-4 lead. The Rams went on to win the set 25-14.

The second set began similarly as CSU opened a 9-2 lead after 3-0 and 4-0 runs. The Aggies used a 6-0 run to get within one point at 15-14, but never got any closer as the Rams went on to win the game 25-20.

CSU closed out the sweep with a 25-15 victory in the final set.

“Our offense just needs a better variety and needs to be more aggressive,” DuBose said. “Colorado State really served us tough.”

USU will take on the University of Wyoming this Saturday.

“They are a good team,” DuBose said. “They may even be better than Colorado State offensively. We just need to come out and play better and be in that match on Saturday.”

Sophomore outside hitter Rachel Gale led the Aggies against CSU with nine kills. Sophomore middle blocker Carly Lenzen had four blocks.

— thomas.sorenson@aggiemail.usu.edu

Twitter: @tomcat340