LARAMIE, Wyo. (Nov. 21, 2024) – It was a reverse sweep that didn't go Wyoming's way Thursday night inside the UniWyo Sports Complex as Utah State was able to rally and win the final three sets of the evening to take the match in five. Set scores went 21-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-14 and 15-11.
The Cowgirls (14-12, 6-11 MW) got out to a hot start Thursday, dominating the first two sets. Wyoming didn't trail at all in the first two frames. From there however, it was the opposite story as the Aggies (15-12, 12-4 MW) controlled the third, fourth and fifth sets. USU allowed just four early lead changes in the match's final three sets.
Wyoming hit .291 on the night while the Aggies got up to a .295 clip. The Cowgirls hit .357 in the first set, .577 in the second and .306 in the third before hitting .000 in the fourth and just .150 in the deciding fifth. USU had an 8-3 advantage in service aces and committed four fewer serving errors. The Cowgirls did enjoy a nice advantage in blocks, tallying 15 to Utah State's nine.
Leading the way for UW in the block department was Sarah Holcomb with 10 in total. Holcomb also recorded her second-career double-double in the loss as she, along with Paige Lauterwasser, led the Cowgirl offensive attack with 14 kills. Holcomb and Lauterwasser hit .545 and .357, respectively in the contest. Kayla Mazzocca and Emma Winter also finished with double-figure kills, notching 11 and 10, respectively. Mazzocca also added five block assists in the contest.
Kasia Partyka led the way on the night for the Cowgirls with 46 assists. She also recorded another double-double as she added 11 digs. Partyka had a solid all-around match, adding four kills and four block assists. Lauterwasser also had a double-double as she, too, tallied 11 digs. Sierra Grizzle chipped in with nine. Mazzocca led Wyoming with two aces on the night while Skylar Erickson added one.
Wyoming will look to closer the regular season on a high note now as it closes with a noon contest Saturday against Nevada. It will be Senior Day in Laramie as Macey Boggs, Mazzocca, Partyka, Kendal Rivera and Sonte Stewart will be honored prior to the match.
-WYO-
