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Volleyball returns from road loss for pink-out game

Utah State volleyball took to the road Tuesday to take on Mountain West Conference rival Boise State. Though the Aggies came out strong, taking the first set 25-22, the Broncos claimed the victory, taking the next three sets and the match on their home court. The loss drops USU’s record to 11-8 overall and 4-3 in conference play.

Senior middle blocker Kaitlyn VanHoff recorded a career-high 18 kills in the match in addition to six digs and five block assists. Senior setter Paige Neves led the team with 39 assists. Neves was also the most efficient hitter of the night will seven kills out of 11 attempts and a personal hitting percentage of .636. She tallied 13 digs for the Aggies, her seventh double-double of the season.

Junior opposite side hitter Ellie Brainard came in second in kills for the Utah State with 12 kills on 31 attempts. Brainard is coming back off of an ankle injury and continuing to prove her value on the team.

Utah State came out slow in the first set having to come back from down five to take their first lead at 8-7. The Aggies and the Broncos battled back and forth, trading scores to 11-11 before Utah State really took control of the set, keeping at least a one point lead until the set point scored on a kill by sophomore outside hitter Kaylie Kamalu for a final score of 25-23.

The Aggies looked to be on track to take the match by storm recording a .325 hitting percentage in the first set and only three errors but in the second set the Aggies’ hitting percentage dropped from .325 to .027. The Aggies dropped the second set 25-17.

Utah State had a comeback attempt in the third set, leading 16-12 at one point but Boise came back and tied the set at 18-18. BSU continued their lead before the Aggies came back to close the gap to 21-20 but couldn’t keep it up and dropped the last four points, giving the set to the Broncos 25-20.

Utah State finished the match at a .178 hitting percentage just one game after a season-high hitting percentage of .340.

The Aggies will return to Kirby Court at the Wayne Estes Center Thursday to play in the annual Dig For A Cure match in support of breast cancer research. They will host conference rival Fresno State who is currently sitting at a 6-14 overall record and 1-5 in conference play.

The first 200 fans in attendance will receive a breast cancer T-shirt, and those wearing pink will be admitted for free. The match will begin at 7 p.m.