Volleyball team extends winning streak
Records were broken Tuesday night in Provo as the Utah State University women’s volleyball team swept the BYU Cougars, 30-26, 30-23, 30-21.
A BYU 20-match home win streak, including a 9-0 record in the Smith Fieldhouse, was broken.
Most importantly to the Aggies, though, the team was able to continue to defeat nationally ranked teams, moving itself closer to the national rankings.
“We are very fortunate beating a really good team,” USU coach Burt Fuller said.
Outside hitter Erin Cartwright knew how important it was for the Aggies to defeat the Cougars.
“We talked about it all season,” Cartwright said. “Beat BYU. We want to beat BYU.”
On Oct. 11, Utah State knocked off No. 12 University of the Pacific and prior to the game, the Cougars were ranked No. 13.
“None of us are really great athletes,” Aggie outside hitter Lisa Borom said. “We are a team.”
This is important for USU because when the Aggies are playing like a team, they are able to beat big teams, Borom said.
Playing a back and forth battle during the first game, the Aggies were finally able to move ahead with a pair of kills by middle blocker Melissa Matheson.
Big West Athlete of the Week Shauni Fluckiger contributed a pair of kills of her own to cap off the first game for the Aggies.
Aside from the Aggies’ team effort, the Cougars dug themselves a hole with four service errors in the first game alone, including two a piece from outside hitter Natalie Whittaker and All-American middle blocker Nina Puikkonen.
“Everybody has strengths and weaknesses,” Fuller said. “We are trying to hide our weaknesses and use our strengths and exploit someone else’s [weaknesses].”
The weakness for the Cougars Tuesday night was service errors.
The Cougars doubled their service errors in the final two games, finishing the night with eight, including one more from Puikkonen, two from outside hitter Sunny Mahe and one from defensive specialist Uila Crabbe.
Crabbe had the only two service aces on the evening for the Cougars while the Aggies finished the night with four, including two by defensive specialist Heather Olmstead.
The second game came a little easier for the Aggies as they were able to take a 12-10 lead off a Matheson kill, never looking back.
Utah State finished the evening with three players in double digits for kills -Fluckiger (12), Borom (12) and Matheson (10).
The final game of the night came a lot easier for the Aggies.
The Aggies led by as many as nine points. The Cougars were only able to come within seven points, 12-19, with kills by setter Lauren Richards and middle blocker Jackie Bundy.
The Aggies will continue road play Friday as they
travel to the University of Idaho. The Vandals are
currently 6-9 on the season and 2-5 in Big West Conference play, including a loss to the Aggies in Logan.