Volleyball falls to NMSU, 3-0, drops to 2-2 in WAC
Freshman outside hitter Rachel Orr had a big night Saturday for the Utah State volleyball team, but the Aggies came up empty handed as they fell to New Mexico State University in straight sets, 3-0. Orr tied her career high in kills, recording 14 kills to lead the team, and fell just shy of a double-double, finishing with eight digs.
“Rachel played very well,” said head coach Grayson DuBose. “She came right out and was hitting the ball real hard, hitting the seams — did a fabulous job.”
Orr is originally from Thatcher, Ariz., which is roughly three hours from the New Mexico State campus.
“It was fun because her family was there,” Dubose said. “It was fun to watch.”
Freshman outside hitter Meredith Hays led the Aggies of New Mexico State, finishing with 10 kills. New Mexico State also got a strong performance from senior middle hitter Kelsey Brennan, who finished right behind Hays, with nine kills.
New Mexico State jumped out to the early lead, as Brennan had little trouble getting the ball past the USU defense. Utah State slowly whittled the lead down and actually took the lead at 23-22, but after New Mexico State got a kill and a service ace, a USU error gave New Mexico State the first set win, by a score of 25-23.
“We had chances, and they were a little bit better at the end than we were,” DuBose said. “Under duress we have to be able to respond a little bit better.”
And respond they did, after falling behind again early in the second set. With New Mexico State leading 19-12, Utah State went on a 7-0 run to level the set at 19-all. Sophomore middle blocker Nicole Gneiting-Theurer made a couple of key plays on both sides of the ball to get USU back in the game. Hays and Brennan then led New Mexico State on a 6-3 run, and Utah State came up just short, again, dropping the set 25-22.
“I think part of it is our maturity,” DuBose said. “We’ve got some young kids out there that are trying to figure it out. Our freshman are getting pretty good, and that’s encouraging.”
Senior All-American Liz McArthur had 10 kills on the night, and red-shirt freshman Paige Neves finished with 30 assists and 10 digs.
After pulling out the first two sets, New Mexico State had little trouble with Utah State in the third set. The Aggies of NMSU raced to a 4-1 lead and steadily increased it from there.
New Mexico State had three service aces in the set, and sophomore middle blocker Desiree Scott recorded three of her six kills, as NMSU cruised to the 25-18 set win, finishing the match in three sets.
DuBose was hopeful that the team will improve quickly.
“I think experience teaches how to get better,” DuBose said. “The game teaches the game. In this case, they’ll learn and get better by playing. By being in those pressure situations.”
DuBose said he felt the team served well during the match, but just couldn’t finish out the sets.
“Our energy level was pretty good,” DuBose said. “We got fired up — put pressure on them. We served well. That I thought we did very well.”
USU had two service aces on the night, and DuBose felt the team’s serving gave it an edge in the rallies.
With the loss Utah State drops to 7-10 on the season, and 2-2 in WAC play.
Utah State faces another road test Friday, Oct. 7, as it travels to Idaho to take on the Vandals of Idaho University. The match is scheduled for 8 p.m.
The Aggies will be back in action at the Spectrum Oct. 13 as they host the Bulldogs of Fresno State. First serve is 7 p.m.
– curtis.lundstrom@aggiemail.usu.edu