USU now pepared for Long Beach on the road Tuesday
Despite playing No. 1 Long Beach State University Thursday, the Utah State University women’s volleyball team was not intimidated, though a bit nervous in the 0-3 loss.
“I don’t think our team was intimidated by them,” USU Head Coach Burt Fuller said.
Setter Chelsi Neves said, “I was nervous, but I don’t know if anyone else was. Not in a scary way but an excited way.”
The Aggies took the lead early in the first game, but Long Beach rebounded and won 30-16. The Aggies kept the next two games closer.
“I thought we were a little shaky early,” Fuller said. “Once they caught us in the first game we didn’t play very well. We played a little bit nervous. Once we started the second game we calmed down a little bit.”
Middle blocker Cami Gardner said, “I think we handled ourselves pretty well against them, we were neck and neck with them all three games and it was awesome to see us do that and to know that we could.”
Not only did the Aggies have to face the No. 1 team in the country, but Long Beach is led by Player of the Year candidate Cheryl Weaver at middle blocker.
Weaver is ranked No. 3 in the country in hitting percentage at .439, hitting .625 Thursday.
“She didn’t have an error,” Fuller said. “We didn’t stop her. She was hitting higher after two games so we at least slowed her down a bit.”
Gardner said, “She’s really good. I give her props on being awesome.”
Towering over the Aggies at 6-foot-7, middle blocker Tayyiba Haneef also caused problems for the Aggies in recording 18 kills and 3 blocks, Fuller said.
Haneef made her presence felt at the net, hitting balls straight down into the Aggie defense.
“You just want to do your best and get [the ball] up,” Gardner said. “I think it’s more of trying to hit around her than try to hit through her.”
The Aggies will face Long Beach again on Tuesday at Long Beach.
“I think it [Thursday’s game] greatly prepared us,” Gardner said. “We’ve seen what they have and we were right there with them.”
Fuller said, “We have players that enjoy going out and playing, and I’m hoping we have a better show against them next time.”