Utah State volleyball loses at home to UNLV
The Wayne Estes Center was the setting for another loss in the books for the volleyball team against the University of Nevada, Las Vegas on Saturday evening.
“We gave ourselves some chances,” stated head coach Grayson DuBose. “We just aren’t good at end of games. We need to be better, and we got to to find a way to be better.”
The Aggies have had the most success this season when they clench the first set, allowing them to ride on the momentum and the confidence boost to go on and win the match. Despite the overall loss, Utah State won the first set 25-23. After UNLV started off with a six-point run, the Aggies were able to make a comeback and reignite their fire. UNLV had racked up 14 kills in the first set to USU’s 10, but the Rebels also had six service errors to Utah State’s two.
Utah State was still riding the momentum of the previous win at the beginning of the second set, but that did not last long. UNLV snuck-up behind USU and took control of the game, 10-9, and did not give it back. The Aggies fought back with two back-to-back deadlocks at 10-10 and 11-11, but UNLV was not about to let go.
Anne Schill UNLV senior Elsa Descamps and UNLV sophomore Erin Davis jump to block USU sophomore Baily Downing.
“I think we got off task. I think we served the libero a little bit too much. They came out harder than we did and that’s something we need to work on next time.” said senior middle blocker Lauren O’Brien.
After the Rebels broke the 11-11 tie, they went on to win the set 25-20.
The third set played out the same as the second. Utah State started off in control, before UNLV came in and took the lead, ultimately winning the set 25-17.
The fourth set was another close loss, with the Rebels jumping out to a lead and taking the set 25-23. UNLV had control of the set from the very beginning, aside from the five deadlocks, which they clearly overcame.
Despite this weekend’s loss, the Aggies played with more confidence and vigor this weekend than when they last played at home against in-state rivals Weber State.
“I think in practice we really worked on our passing and communication, which is a big thing, and being confident. I think that was a really big thing that we had going into today. We were going to talk about everything and we are going to be confident in our choices.” said O’Brien.
On Thursday, Sep. 27, the Aggies will be on the road competing at an all-day tournament at San Jose State.