Volleyball: Nevada rallies for a 3-2 win over Utah State

RENO, Nev. - The University of Nevada (6-12, 2-3 WAC) volleyball snapped a three-match Western Athletic Conference losing skid down Utah State University (10-8, 2-4 WAC) in five sets at the Virginia Street Gym tonight before 483 fans. The Wolf Pack won the first set 25-22 only to drop the next two 23-25 and 18-25 but rebounded to win the last two 25-22 and 15-7 to win the match 3-2.

The Pack improved to 6-12 on the season and 2-3 in WAC play while Aggies dropped to 19-8 overall and 2-4 in league play. Of Nevada's six wins on the season five have come in five set matches as the team improved to 5-0 in five set outings.

After holding on to win set four 25-22 to force a deciding fifth set the Pack took control jumping to a 5-1 advantage in the final set primarily behind the serving of middle blocker Lindsay Baldwin. Nevada never trailed in the final set and senior setter Sonnie Sei served the final three points of the set as the Wolf Pack won easily 15-7. Baldwin recorded the block on point 14 and teamed with senior Jorgan Staker for the block on the 15th and final point of the night. Nevada had its best hitting set of the match at .357 and held the Aggies to an attack percentage of zero.

There were 10 ties and four lead changes in the first set before the Pack prevailed 25-22. Nevada used a 6-0 run to break the final tie of the set and take a 23-17 lead which they did not relinquish. Junior Kylie Harrington ended the first set with a kill off an assist from Sei. Nevada hit .171 in the first set and USU .208.

Set two also featured 10 ties and four lead changes but the Aggies won the set 25-23 to even the match at one set apiece. The final tie came at 21-21 and USU produced a 4-2 run to close out the set. Both teams struggled offensively as Nevada hit .081 and Utah State .028.

The Aggies dominated set three and held a 10-point advantage at 18-8 on the way to the 25-18 third set victory. With the win USU led the match 2-1 heading into the break. Nevada hit just .067 compared to .195 for the Aggies.

Following the break the Pack came out of the locker room on fire taking an early 8-1 lead in set four. USU would not quit though and eventual tied the set at 12-12 and 19-19. The Pack outscored the Aggies 6-3 down the stretch after the tie to win the set 25-22 and even the match at two sets apiece to force the deciding fifth set in which they prevailed 15-7. Nevada hit .143 in set four and held the Aggies to an .079 attack percentage.

Freshman Erin Garvey and Harrington led four Pack players in double figures in kills with 12 each. Freshman Elissa Ji and Baldwin totaled 11 and 10 respectively. Sei and sophomore setter Tatiana Santiago each dished out 23 assists on the night. Sei added 10 digs to post her first double-double of the season. Junior Libero Nicole Link finished with a match-high 29 digs and freshman Kelly Chang tallied 11.

Liz McArthur and Emily Kortsen topped the Aggies with 12 and 11 kills respectively. Kortsen recorded a double-double as she had 15 digs in the match. Setter Chelsea Fowels finished with a match-high 37 assists on the night. Libero Christine Morrill totaled 19 digs and Laurel Bodily added 15.

Nevada hit .133 in the match and USU .108. The Aggies won the blocking battle 16-9. Shantell Durrant led USU with nine blocks and Baldwin topped the Pack with seven.

The Wolf Pack host a pair of WAC opponents next week taking on Boise State on Thursday and Idaho Saturday evening with both matches starting at 7:00 p.m. at the Virginia Street Gym.