LARAMIE, Wyo. (Oct. 20, 2022) – The Wyoming Cowgirls couldn't quite get over the hump Thursday night at home against Utah State, as the Aggies bested UW in four sets. Set scores went 25-21, 25-17, 20-25 and 25-23.
After losing a closely-contested first set, the Cowgirls (8-13, 4-5 MW) fell behind two sets to none after Utah State (14-6, 6-3 MW) controlled the second set from start-to-finish. In the third, the Cowgirls battled back after an early deficit and ended the frame on a 4-0 run, forcing a fourth set. Wyoming battled back from multiple, multi-point deficits in the third.
The fourth brought another hotly-contested set as the two teams traded points in the frame. Ultimately, it was the Aggies who seized control, ending the set and the match with three consecutive points after UW went up 23-22. The fourth set featured eight ties and seven lead changes.
KC McMahon was the only Cowgirl with double-digit kills in the loss as she notched 14. McMahon also added a trio of blocks and led Wyoming with a pair of service aces. For the match, the Aggies enjoyed a big advantage at the service line however, recording seven aces to Wyoming's four. The Cowgirls also committed three more (10-7) serving errors than did USU.
Kasia Partyka led Wyoming with 31 assists in the match. Partyka also added four kills, had two blocks and seven digs. Naya Shimé and Tierney Barlow added eight and six kills, respectively on the night. Barlow also led the way with a career-best nine total blocks against the Aggies. As a team, the Cowgirls had 15 blocks to USU's nine. Utah State did still hit better than the Cowgirls, .162 to .147. Defensively, Hailey Zuroske led the back row with 11 digs from her libero position.
The Cowgirls now hit the road to close out the week. Wyoming travels to face Boise State at noon Saturday. It will be the only meeting with the Broncos this season.
-WYO-
