Sept. 15, 2007

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LOGAN, Utah - Amanda Nielson led a trio of Aggies with double-digit kills as Utah State recorded a four-game win (30-27, 30-25, 17-30, 30-27) against San Jose State in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum Saturday night.

Utah State improves to 2-0 in the Western Athletic Conference and 5-6 on the season with the win, while San Jose State drops to 6-5 overall and 0-1 in league play with the loss. USU is now 4-1 against the Spartans since joining the WAC prior to the 2005 season.

Nielson led Utah State as she recorded her second double-double of the year with 13 kills and a season-high tying 13 digs. The senior opposite side hitter from West Valley City, Utah (Granger HS) also added five blocks and two service aces in the match. Junior outside hitter Melissa Osterloh (Sandy, Utah/Skyline HS) recorded her team-leading fifth double-double of the year with 11 kills and 10 digs to go along with six blocks, while sophomore middle blocker Danielle Taylor (Sprigville, Utah/Springville HS) had a season-high 10 kills.

Utah State controlled the net throughout the match and finished with 15.5 team blocks as sophomore middle blocker Melissa Larson (Pleasonton, Calif./Amador Valley HS) had a team-high 10 block assists.

San Jose State was led by junior middle blocker Colleen Burke, who had a match-high 17 kills.

Utah State seemed to have complete control of the match after winning the first two games, but San Jose State rebounded in game three as it scored seven of the first nine points and coasted to the 13-point win. USU hit just. 043 (13-11-47) in that third game, while SJSU hit a blistering .359 (16-2-39).

The Spartans carried the momentum into game four and scored the first three points before USU responded with a 5-1 run to take its first lead of the game. USU slowly extended its advantage and led by five at 21-16 before San Jose State went on an 11-6 run to tie it at 27. The Spartans had a chance to take the lead but missed a serve to give the Aggies the advantage and USU closed out the match by recording consecutive blocks to notch the three-point victory and the four-game win.

Utah State finished the match with a .136 (52-29-169) hitting percentage as compared to a .205 (65-31-166) hitting percentage for San Jose State. The Spartans also had 15 more assists (61-46) and 18 more digs (78-60), while USU had 11.5 more team blocks (15.5-4.0) and six fewer service errors (12-6).

Utah State will play its next four matches on the road, starting at New Mexico State on Thursday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m.

Utah State 3, San Jose State 1
SJSU            27            25            30            27
USU             30            30            17            30