Utah Valley Volleyball fell to in-state foe Utah State in a three-set sweep (25-10, 25-19, 25-23) falling to 3-7 on the season.
In set one, it was all Aggies. After Utah Valley started the match with a service error, Utah State used 19 kills on a .515 attack percentage to silence the Wolverines in front of their home crowd.
Despite the one-sided score, there were some positives for the Wolverines. Utah Valley only surrendered four of those points via error, which has been an issue for them during the season.
The Wolverines also had four blocks to the Aggies’ two. But just seven kills for the Wolverines proved to be the difference-maker as the Aggies took set one 25-10.
Set two started like set one, with a service error — this time coming from the Aggies. Utah Valley would use that opportunity to spark a 5-2 run to start the set, but the Aggies would soon take control.
Utah State would hold a 15-10 lead at the first media timeout, which bolstered them to a 23-16 lead before the Wolverines would call another timeout.
Despite scoring three straight points, Utah State finished the Wolverines off with a 25-19 set two win.
It was a much better set for Utah Valley in a lot of aspects.
The Wolverines had nine kills, eight blocks and no service errors but had 12 errors, which proved pivotal in the set two loss.
Despite trailing 2-0, the Wolverines were not going to surrender easily.
Utah Valley would jump to a 16-11 lead backed by a strong set three performance from senior outside-hitter Tori Ellis.
Utah Valley would extend their lead to 19-15 before a Utah State timeout.
Following the timeout, the Aggies went for the sweep.
USU would go on a 5-1 run to tie it at 20-20, then after much back-and-forth, it was suddenly match point for Utah State.
Despite a valiant effort from the Wolverines, they would fall in straight sets for the second consecutive match and the third time this year.
Ellis finished with seven kills in the match and a respectable attack percentage of .333. Utah Valley had 33 combined digs and nine reception errors.
UVU also finished with 14 blocks to the Aggies’ 12.
A caveat of the match was the lack of Utah State’s star player in Tatum Stall, who has missed the last two games due to an undisclosed injury.
Stall has accounted for 35 kills in just four games for the Aggies.
Utah Valley will take on cross-town rival No. 12 BYU on Friday night in the Rebecca D. Lockhart Arena. The game will start at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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