Utah State women’s volleyball loses in final match against Fresno State
The Utah State Aggies women’s volleyball team closed out its season with a 3-0 loss against the Fresno State Bulldogs on Nov. 23. The Aggies ended the 2019 campaign on a 12-game-losing-streak and an overall record of 2-28 and a 2-16 conference record.
The Aggies displayed a strong effort in their match against the Bulldogs, as they were able to keep each set close. However, they fell in each set and ultimately lost the match in three consecutive sets.
The first set was very competitive, with four lead changes and a tied score 10 times. Despite the final score, the Aggies had the lead for much of the set, but the tides turned when the Bulldogs scored four consecutive points turning a 14-12 USU lead into a 16-14 Bulldog lead. The Aggies were unable to retake the lead for the remainder of the set and lost 25-20.
The second set began with the Bulldogs going on a 9-3 run.
The Aggies answered with an eight-to-four run of their own and both teams traded points until the score was 22-22. They fought desperately to take the set, but were unable and lost 26-24.
The third set was dominated by runs and both teams combined to score three or more unanswered points eight times. The largest run was recorded by the Bulldogs, who went from a 16-21 deficit to a 24-21 lead. Later, the Aggies scored again to break the Bulldogs run, but the Bulldogs scored again to end the set and the game, with a score of 25-22.
Key Aggie contributors
It was a tough loss for the Aggies, but there were solid performances from a few key players. Senior opposite-side hitter Izzie Belnap had a solid match and accumulated a team-high nine kills, while chipping in two digs and one block assist.
Junior opposite-side hitter Bailey Downing also contributed a significant amount of kills with seven, adding three blocks. Also on the offensive side, senior setter Heidi Carpenter and freshman setter Kalena Vaivai both had 12 assists. Carpenter earned seven digs, while Vaivai earned four. The two were the only players with assists, giving the Aggies a total of 24 assists. As a team, the Aggies were only able to accumulate 12 blocks, with no player earning more than three.
While it may not have been how the Aggies wanted to end their season, they put up a strong effort. If a few things had gone differently, the team could have easily won the match 3-0. However, they will have to be satisfied with the knowledge that they gave it their all.
Looking for the silver lining
While a 2-28 record is not the record that the Aggies hoped for at the start of the season, this year’s team can rest easy knowing that they do not have the worst record in the Utah State’s women’s volleyball team’s history. That honor belongs to the 1995 iteration of the team, who went winless the entire season.