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Aggies down UVU in straight sets to win in-state clash

Curtis Lundstrom, Sports Editor

With the team firing on all cylinders, it didn’t take long for the Utah State volleyball team to down in-state foe Utah Valley in straight sets (25-12, 25-18, 25-15) Tuesday at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

“We kind of rolled a little bit, it was kind of nice,” said USU head coach Grayson DuBose. “I thought we needed a match like that. Our confidence level needed to be increased I thought.”

The Aggies jumped out to 6-2 lead and never looked back in the first set. Junior outside hitter Rachel Orr had five kills in the set to lead USU, while senior Tamua Etimani and sophomore Elle Brainard each added four kills.

UVU got back within two at 8-6, but the Wolverines were unable to finish on the attack, piling up six errors in the first set. USU took advantage and used a 4-0 spurt to spark a 12-4 run, and Orr finished off the set with three of her five kills.

The Aggies continued the momentum in the second set, and the defense went to work in the third set to close it out.

“It was great, especially with our past with them,” Orr said. “We lost last year, so it’s great to come out and pound them.”

Utah State improved to 11-7 overall with the win, and remained at 4-3 in MWC play. The Aggies return to the court on Saturday, Oct. 19 when they travel to Reno to face the University of Nevada.

First serve is scheduled for 3 p.m.