Spikers win in four over San Jose

Senior outside hitter Zuzana Cernianska returned from a sprained ankle to lead Utah State to a 3-1 win over San Jose State Saturday night in California.

After winning the first two games 30-24 and 30-25, the Aggies struggled to put the game away.

The Spartans were able to come back and take the third game from Utah State with a 26-30 win over the Aggies.

But USU was able to pull it out down the stretch with a 30-26 win in the fourth and final game for the match win.

Leading the way with 21 kills and a career-high 22 digs, Cernianska hit a strong .326 and helped the Aggies maintain its second-place standing in the Western Athletic Conference.

Utah State had only one other player in double-digits. In the middle, senior blocker Ingrid Roth hit a blistering .448 in the match and recorded 14 kills on the night as well as seven blocks.

Senior middle blocker Erin Graybill and sophomore outside hitter Amanda Orgill were next with nine kills each. Orgill also led the Aggies in blocking with nine.

The Spartans were led by freshman Colleen Burke who had 22 kills. Jennifer Senftleben put up 19 kills on the board along with 13 digs for San Jose.

The Aggies will next host three-straight home matches at the Spectrum.

The first will be against Idaho Wednesday night at 7 p.m. The last time Utah State faced Idaho, who is currently ranked No. 5 in the WAC, the Ags won in four games.

The Aggies have won six of the last seven games against the Vandals.

-aedmunds@cc.usu.edu