Aggies lose to Utah in straight sets
There would be no lighting the A blue Wednesday night, as Utah State volleyball fell in three sets to the University of Utah.
The Utes continued their undefeated streak in dominant fashion, now 10-0 on the season. The Aggies fall to 4-6, with Mountain West play just one week away.
“We were not good and they were really good, and we allowed them to be good,” said head coach Grayson DuBose. “It was real disappointing. I hope everybody will keep coming back out, we’re going to be better, we’re going to figure out how to be better. It’s a nice crowd and we didn’t perform. It’s disappointing.”
The Aggies fell behind early, dropping the first set 25-21 despite five kills from sophomore outside hitter Kaylie Kamalu and another three from senior hitter Rachel Orr. The Utes benefitted from a balanced attack, with four players notching at least three kills in the first set. USU kept it close before a 5-2 run put the visiting Utes up 21-16, too much for the Aggies to recover from.
Utah ended with three separate players recording seven kills each and senior Chelsey Schofield leading all players on the night with 15.
The Aggies were unable to defend against the Utah attack through all three sets, as the Utes finished the match with a .311 attack percentage.
“Our serving was too easy they were in system all night long just ramming it down our throats,” DuBose said. “.311? Shoot we didn’t let the #25 team in the country hit .311 against us, so that part is a little frustrating for me right now.”
USU put up a fight in the second set, but the result was the same. Despite eight tie scores and two lead changes, Utah took set two 25-23 and placing the Aggies in an 0-2 hole headed into the break.
The Aggies lost set three 25-19. Kamalu finished the match with a team-high 14 kills.
“Kaylie Kamalu had a nice night, she’s playing well so that was nice,” DuBose said. “It’s just hard for me right now to say anything super positive I just wasn’t happy with anything.”
The USU Hurd student section attended the game dressed in Blue for the annual “Blue-Out” match, but the night would belong to the Utes.
“You know it was great, a bunch of people came out,” DuBose said. “I hope they enjoy volleyball because Utah put on a nice show.”
Utah State has a week to before beginning conference play Thursday, and with a goal to win the conference, DuBose added that there is certainly room for improvement.
“It typically always comes down to serve, serve-receive I think,” DuBose said. “Winning and losing comes down to that stuff and we did not serve well. I don’t think we received serves well either.”
USU’s schedule doesn’t get any easier, as the #8 Colorado State Rams open conference play for the Aggies Thursday in the Wayne Estes Center.
“Colorado State that’ll be a lot of fun, I’m excited,” DuBose said. “You know I haven’t watched much video on them but traditionally they’re just big. They’re very skilled, they’re well-coached and they’re very experienced so I don’t think much phases them.”
With the matchup against the Rams looming, DuBose hopes to get his team back on track in time to make a serious impact in conference play this season.
“Maybe they put some extra pressure on themselves being at home, I don’t know,” DuBose said. “We never did last year. This is an experienced team and we didn’t play like it tonight.”
–logantjones@aggiemail.usu.edu
@logantj