Utah nips USU is first Spectrum men’s volleyball club match
In the club’s first match of the season in the Spectrum Saturday night, the University of Utah narrowly defeated the USU men’s volleyball club, 3-2.
The University of Utah is currently ranked sixth among Division 1 teams while Utah State is ranked 10th in Division 2.
USU started out slow in the first game, falling behind 16-8 before making a run and tying the score at 17. At that point Utah made a run of its own and took the game 25-18.
In the second game, Utah jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but the Aggies kept it close the whole way, finally tying the game at 23. The game was tied again at 24 before Utah finally put it away, 26-24.
Utah State coach and player Greg Jorgenson said hitting errors cost the Aggies in the first two games. They made a lot of mistakes hitting the ball into the net or out of bounds, he said.
The third game was also very close. USU grabbed a 6-3 lead early, but Utah was able to come back and take a 14-11 lead. Utah State slowly climbed back ahead and won the game 25-22.
The fourth game was much like the third; USU fell behind early, down by four with the score 7-4. The Aggies then took the lead, 13-12, and went up by five to 18-13. USU fell behind once more, but came back to win, 27-25.
Utah State won the first point in the fifth game, but Utah quickly came back. After being tied at five, Utah took the lead for good and won the final game 15-10 to take the match.
After the first two games, Jorgenson said the team started playing much better, and outside hitter Paul Swaner came up big off the bench and really helped the team out.
Jorgenson also said the team is working with a new setter. Jorgenson was the previous setter but has relinquished the role because of a broken finger.
Jorgenson said he was really pleased with the fan support. Nearly 200 fans turned out Saturday; only about 60 turned up for their home game last year.
The Aggies tried to host a game last Tuesday, but were unable to schedule the Spectrum because of the basketball rally. They are now looking at scheduling another game April 7, the week before they’ll go to nationals.
This weekend the team will travel to Las Vegas for the conference championships, which will be held March 30 and 31.