Volleyball Loses to South Florida to Conclude Opening Weekend

LEXINGTON, Kentucky – Utah State volleyball lost to South Florida 3-0 in its last match of the Bluegrass Battle at the Historic Memorial Coliseum.
 
Set One
The Bulls used a pair of quick 3-0 bursts early in the first set to jump in front before USU answered back with a 6-1 surge to take a 15-14 lead. A kill from junior outside hitter Ava Nakai kickstarted the run before junior middle blocker Ava Napierski notched a pair of kills to help the Aggies take their first lead of the match. USU led 19-17 following a kill from senior right side hitter Lauren Bodily but USF then used a 8-4 run to close out the frame and take a 25-23 win.
 
Set Two
Freshman middle blocker Taytum Nelson registered a pair of blocks early in set two, first combining with junior outside hitter Sami Blackett and then junior outside hitter Olivia Ruy as part of a 5-1 run that pushed USU ahead by five. The Bulls again responded, scoring five-straight to erase the lead and later scoring another six unanswered to take control en route to a 25-20 win.
 
Set Three
The Aggies fought tough in the early stages of the third set, leading by multiple points on several occasions, including a 12-10 lead after a Nakai kill. Once again, a Bull run turned the tide as USF scored nine of the next 11 points. Utah State battled back late with a kill by Ruy cutting the deficit back down to four points before South Florida registered back-to-back points to win 25-19 and clinch the match.

Quick Notes

Nakai led the team with 11 kills alongside four digs with Ruy closed behind with nine kills.
Nelson finished with a team-high four blocks in her collegiate debut, adding three kills.
Sophomore libero/defensive specialist Lily LaFlesch posted a team-high 12 digs and added USU’s lone ace of the match.
Sophomore setter Silina Damuni posted a team-high 19 assists plus eight digs while senior setter Olivia Tukuafu added 11 assists and three digs.
USU hit .089 for the match, finishing with 33 assists on 36 kills with 42 digs, five blocks and an ace. USF finished the match with a .223 hitting percentage.

Up Next
Utah State (0-3, 0-0 Pac-12) continues nonconference play next week as it faces a pair of matches in Santa Barbara, California. USU first takes on Iowa State on Friday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. (MT), before a match against UC Santa Barbara on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. (MT).

Tickets

Season tickets, single-game tickets and the USU women’s sports pass are on sale now and can be purchased through the USU online ticket office.

Fans can follow the Aggie volleyball program on Twitter, @USUVolleyball, on Facebook at /USUVolleyball or on Instagram, @usuvolleyball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter, @USUAthletics, Facebook at /USUAthletics and on Instagram, @USUAthletics.

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