Ag Volleyball concludes third tourney 1-2
The Golden Bear Invitational ended with similar results for USU spikers as the last two preseason tournaments the team played in: a 1-2 record and all-tournament honors for senior opposite-side hitter Amanda Nielson, who averaged 5.88 points, 4.88 kills, 1.38 digs, 0.75 aces, and 0.50 blocks per game while hitting .217 on the tournament.
The Aggies opened up against the hosts, the 15th-ranked California Golden Bears. Nielson led the team with 11 kills and four digs, but it was in a losing effort as USU hit just .036 over three games versus .308 by Cal.
“Cal is a good team from a good conference. We competed well but not for long enough,” USU Head Coach Grayson DuBose said.
DuBose’s team showed great spirit in the loss, after dropping the first game in lopsided fashion, 30-14. Then the Aggies battled back, bringing the margin of defeat closer in each game. USU also out-blocked Cal in the loss, 9.5 to 9.0. Hana Cutura led the Bears with nine kills and six digs.
On Saturday, USU again faced a Top-25 team, the 12th-ranked Golden Gophers of Minnesota.
As against Cal, the results were not golden for Utah State. USU lost in three games, 30-19, 30-28, 30-21. DuBose pointed to the tight second game as a silver lining for his squad.
“We had some chances in the second game but couldn’t put it away,” DuBose said. “We did a real nice job. We are learning how to compete at that level. We can compete for short bursts.”
In a development which surprised no one, Nielson led the way for the Aggies with 13 kills and five digs. Freshman libero Christine Morrill played well with a season-high 10 digs, while Minnesota was led by Brook Dieter’s 13 kills and seven digs.
USU improved its hitting percentage over the previous night, hitting .128 but were still outpaced by Minnesota’s .277 percentage. The Gophers also led in the categories of digs, 46-37; blocks, 14-6; and had 16 more kills than USU.
Later on Saturday, Utah State faced Eastern Kentucky for the first time in school history, and the Aggies were able to take their frustrations from the first two losses out on the Colonels, winning the first two games 30-18 and 30-24 before dominating the final game, 30-16.
“We played really well,” a pleased DuBose said. “We hit for our highest percentage of the year. Eastern Kentucky was a good team, just a little less experienced.”
Nielson was a strong factor in that high hitting percentage, as she hit .609, a career high. Nielson also led USU with 15 kills and four service aces as she helped her team move to a 3-6 record on the season. Melissa Osterloh pitched in 13 kills and nine digs.
With Eastern Kentucky on the ropes, USU closed the match out strong, hitting .567 as a team in the third game. DuBose said he was pleased that several players who had not been getting much playing time were able to hit the court against Eastern Kentucky. The coach singled Kate Astle and Danielle Taylor out for praise.
Two Aggies were recipients of awards: Nielson, who made her third all-tournament team in as many tries, and Morrill, who was named Defensive Standout of the tournament.
The next challenge for Nielson and USU is the home and Western Athletic Conference opener against Boise State on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Spectrum. DuBose said the Aggies are excited to play the Broncos.
“Our team is looking forward to WAC play,” DuBose said. “We did things the right way and now we are prepared for our conference.”
-graham.terry@aggiemail.usu.edu