Aggies lose a thriller at home
The Aggies lost in a heartbreakingly close match that resulted in a five-set battle against Boise State on Tuesday night in the Estes Center.
Utah State had a slow and dismal start, losing the first set 25-13. The Broncos had 18 kills to USU’s seven, with sophomore outside hitter Gabbi Shumway and fellow sophomore middle blocker Bailey Downing each recording three of the seven kills in the first set. A shoulder injury for senior middle blocker Lauren O’Brien put her out of this match against Boise State, so a new lineup made for the rocky start for the Aggies.
Utah State University’s Women’s Volleyball team celebrates a point against Boise State University on October 16, 2018 in Logan, Utah. (Megan Nielsen)
“We did change the lineup and it was just something we had to get used to, but I feel like we came and played really well after the first match,” commented freshman outside hitter Whitney Solosabal. “We knew that we wanted to win and give all we had, so I think we just came out and played like we knew we could.”
Something in the Aggies switched in the second set, and a fire was ignited that was able to fuel their fire and carry them over into the five-set battle. The second set had at least six sets of nail-biting ties, but each time the Aggies were always able to break away and come out on top. They were able to clench their first winning set of the night, 25-23.
Utah State University’s Women’s Volleyball team dives for a ball against Boise State University on October 16, 2018 in Logan, Utah. (Megan Nielsen)
“All of us were just tired of losing, and we just wanted to come out give all we had,” Solosabal said of the second set. “We just wanted to enjoy the sport we love.”
The third set proved yet again to be suspenseful for both teams as the Broncos won 26-24. Again, with the back-and-forth battle and nine deadlocks, both sides put up a fight.
“Each play is independent of the next. You just have to make sure to take care of whatever you need to take care of when you’re in that moment,” USU head coach Grayson DuBose said of his team and the fight that was put up against Boise State.
Still running on the second set momentum and the close win in the previous set, USU hit the ground running and won 25-20 in the fourth. Again, Shumway proved to be an asset to the team with 15 kills, while Sosabal followed suit and racked up 13 of her own. Senior libero Taisa Taylor led the back with 14 digs in the fourth set, with junior outside hitter Ally Packard behind her with 10 digs of her own.
Utah State University’s Women’s Gabbi Shumway hits a ball at the net against Boise State University on October 16, 2018 in Logan, Utah.(Megan Nielsen)
Reaching the fifth and final set of the night got the crowd in the Estes Center ready to fight alongside the Aggies. Boise took charge of the set early on and reached a 10-4 advantage before Utah State retaliated with five straight points to give them a fighting chance at 10-9. Boise then responded with a three-point run and carried that lead to the end of the set and the end of the match.
USU will return to the Wayne Estes Center to take on Air Force at 7 p.m on Thursday night.