The USU Women’s volleyball squad lost to the University of Utah 3-1 on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
This match marks the fourth year in a row the Aggies have fallen to the Utes, their longest-running rivals. The teams met for the 70th time in front of packed bleachers on the Kirby Court in the Wayne Estes Center.
The Utes trailed during the entire first set, but managed to keep up and end the set at 20-25. The Aggies had several close blocks and looked composed compared to the Utes, who were overly aggressive in their passing and serving. On several occasions, the Aggies gently dropped the ball into the gaps in the Utes’ defense.
The Utes stepped up during the second set, leading the Aggies to a score of 23-25.
“They finally lined up in the right spots, started getting some stuff going with the blocks,” said USU head coach Grayson Dubose. “We kept hitting them low, low. We needed to go high, high. It’s tough for us to simulate that in practice, because we don’t have anybody that big.”
Dubose said the Utes “always seem to have gargantuan women.” Indeed, only three USU starters were above 6-foot, while the five of Utah's six starters measured up.
The Aggies couldn’t seem to get under the ball in the third set, which ended 16-25 in favor of Utah. The real breakdown came when hitter Erica Moscoso got caught under a teammate, injuring her own ankle. She walked off and was replaced by freshman Kassidy Johnson.
In the fourth set, the teams started fairly balanced. At 11-15, the Aggies called for a time-out. With the sets at 1-2, this was the last chance for Aggies to make a comeback.
“Great teams don’t make that many errors, and they did that,” said outside hitter Kaylie Kamalu. “It’s just the little things that made a big difference in the game.”
The Aggies came back with power after the time-out, but it wasn’t enough to bounce back. The fourth and final set ended at 19-24, Utah.
USU sided out at .59 percent, marginally missing their goal of .60 percent.
“I think we’re heading in the right direction,” Dubose said. “We’re getting more competitive and minimizing errors.”
The Aggies played three games last weekend and have three more this coming weekend. Dubose said he is trying to get the team as much match experience as possible.
“We’re figuring it out with trial by fire,” he said.
This match marks the fourth year in a row the Aggies have fallen to the Utes, their longest-running rivals. The teams met for the 70th time in front of packed bleachers on the Kirby Court in the Wayne Estes Center.
The Utes trailed during the entire first set, but managed to keep up and end the set at 20-25. The Aggies had several close blocks and looked composed compared to the Utes, who were overly aggressive in their passing and serving. On several occasions, the Aggies gently dropped the ball into the gaps in the Utes’ defense.
The Utes stepped up during the second set, leading the Aggies to a score of 23-25.
“They finally lined up in the right spots, started getting some stuff going with the blocks,” said USU head coach Grayson Dubose. “We kept hitting them low, low. We needed to go high, high. It’s tough for us to simulate that in practice, because we don’t have anybody that big.”
Dubose said the Utes “always seem to have gargantuan women.” Indeed, only three USU starters were above 6-foot, while the five of Utah's six starters measured up.
The Aggies couldn’t seem to get under the ball in the third set, which ended 16-25 in favor of Utah. The real breakdown came when hitter Erica Moscoso got caught under a teammate, injuring her own ankle. She walked off and was replaced by freshman Kassidy Johnson.
In the fourth set, the teams started fairly balanced. At 11-15, the Aggies called for a time-out. With the sets at 1-2, this was the last chance for Aggies to make a comeback.
“Great teams don’t make that many errors, and they did that,” said outside hitter Kaylie Kamalu. “It’s just the little things that made a big difference in the game.”
The Aggies came back with power after the time-out, but it wasn’t enough to bounce back. The fourth and final set ended at 19-24, Utah.
USU sided out at .59 percent, marginally missing their goal of .60 percent.
“I think we’re heading in the right direction,” Dubose said. “We’re getting more competitive and minimizing errors.”
The Aggies played three games last weekend and have three more this coming weekend. Dubose said he is trying to get the team as much match experience as possible.
“We’re figuring it out with trial by fire,” he said.
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