Volleyball drops three-set match to Idaho
The Utah State women’s volleyball team had a rough night Friday, falling in straight sets to the University of Idaho, 3-0. Junior outside hitter Shay Sorensen led the Aggies with 10 kills and one block, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Vandal’s hard hitting in the loss.
Sorensen, who was named to the 2011 Preseason All-WAC team, hit .375 for the match, including a couple of key points in a stretch that allowed the Aggies to get back into the first set.
After the Vandals opened up an early six-point lead, two quick kills from Sorensen got the Aggies back within three, but USU was unable to pull even. A quick 8-3 run by Idaho put an end to the first set by the score of 25-17.
Sophomore outside hitter Alison Walker led the Vandal attack, recording a double-double with 16 kills and 12 digs. Four of those kills came in the second set, as Walker and the other Vandal hitters seemed to have their way with the Aggie defense.
With five tie scores and four lead changes in the set, USU kept it close for the first half of the set. Sitting even at 10-all, midway through the set, the Idaho offense took over, going on a 15-4 run to win the set easily, 25-14. Walker finished hitting .190 for the match.
Senior All-American Liz McArthur recorded nine kills, had two service aces and three blocks in the loss. McArthur, a senior from St. George, struggled throughout the night to find a rhythm as errors plagued her on the offensive side of the ball.
The third set was especially tough on McArthur, who ranks sixth all time at Utah State in kills. Despite having a team-high 36 attempts at the net, McArthur finished with a .056 hitting percentage on the night.
As each side traded points to start the third set, McArthur and the Aggies were suddenly trailing, 14-7. The lead would only swell from there, as the Aggie offense was not able to finish on plays, and the Vandals ran away with the set, 25-16.
As a team Utah State hit .053 for the match, in comparison to .351 for the Vandals. USU edged Idaho in serving, recording four service aces on the night to Idaho’s three.
With the loss, Utah State falls to 7-11 on the season and dropped to 2-3 in WAC play. Idaho improves to 9-9 on the year, moving above .500 in WAC play at 3-2.
The Aggies return home to the Spectrum Oct. 13 and 15 for a pair of conference matches against Fresno State and Nevada. Both matches are scheduled for 7 p.m.
– curtis.lundstrom@aggiemail.usu.edu