Aggies Fall in Thrilling Five-Set Match to Marquette
MILWAUKEE, Wis. - The Utah State volleyball team battled fiercely but ultimately fell to Marquette in a 3-2 decision (25-23, 25-27, 25-18, 20-25, 20-18) on Saturday afternoon. The hard-fought match saw multiple lead changes and extended rallies, concluding a challenging road trip for the Aggies.
The fifth set proved to be a back-and-forth affair, wiht the teams trading points and neither gaining a critically important advantage until a kill from Helgesen and an ace from junior libero/defensive specialist Kendel Thompson put Utah state ahead 10-8. Marquette responded with a 6-2 run to earn a chance to serve for the match at 14-12.Utah State fought off several match points, fueled by three consecutive kills from sophomore outside hitter Mara Štiglic, to reach match point themselves at 15-14. However, both teams continued to stave off defeat, remaining tied at 18-18 before Marquette closed out the set and the match, 20-18.this contest marked a significant test for Utah State (0-2), as they faced a strong Marquette team in their early season schedule. The Aggies demonstrated resilience and competitive spirit, showcasing their potential for growth throughout the season.
Utah State hit .215 for the match, recording 67 total kills on 64 assists, while Marquette posted a .268 hitting percentage with 67 kills and 62 assists. Napierski led the Aggies with a career-high nine total blocks, the most by an individual Aggie since Kelsey Watson recorded nine blocks against Ohio last season. Helgesen also set a new personal best with 23 kills on a .286 hitting percentage and four blocks. Barlow contributed 13 kills on a .444 hitting percentage,marking her third consecutive match with at least 13 kills. Štiglic and Simovski added 11 and 10 kills, respectively.
Simovski also achieved her first double-double of the season with 14 digs, while Thompson tied her career-high with 23 total digs. Kofe led the team with 57 assists, matching her career-high and ranking first among Mountain West players for a single match this season.
Up next
The Aggies return to Cache Valley for their home opener, welcoming No. 9 Texas A&M to the Wayne Estes Center on Friday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. (MT).Utah State will then host in-state foe no. 23 Utah on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m. (MT).
Season tickets, mini-plans, and single-game tickets are available for purchase here or by contacting the USU Ticket Office at 435-797-0305.
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