Set One
BYU jumped to an early 4-1 lead over Utah State until the Aggies matched the score at four aside. Both teams went point-for-point through the middle of the set, highlighted by kills from Mia Lee and Mortensen. The Cougars entered the media timeout with a two-point lead at 15-13 with back-to-back kills from Little and Kemavor.
The score was knotted at 17 before BYU called its first timeout of the night. The Cougars went up 21-19 with a double block at the net by Lee and Mortensen prior to a timeout by the Aggies. BYU staved off a set point once before Utah State secured the first set, 25-23. The Aggies won the set, despite a .092 hitting percentage.
Set Two
The second set mirrored the first with both teams matching each other point-for-point. The Cougars brought the score to 6-6 after Strong capitalized on the longest point of the night. Bower’s first kill in the match extended the BYU lead 12-9. The Cougars had control of the scoreboard, leading 15-12 before the set’s media timeout.
The Aggies battled to come within a point of BYU at 18-17. Kills from Little and Strong propelled the Cougars to within two of clinching the set. Utah State stayed in the mix with a 3-0 run to knot the score 23. Little’s ninth kill of the night put BYU into set point. A double block by Bobkik and Kemavor earned the Cougars the set, 25-23.
Set Three
Both sides matched each other entering the third set. A hit down the line from Mortensen knotted the set at six points apiece. Strong and Little followed Mortensen with kills of their own to advance the Cougars to a 9-6 lead before an Aggie called timeout.
The Cougars furthered a 10-0 run that was highlighted by a pair of aces from Hannah Billeter. The run marked the second 10-0 effort from BYU this season. Mortensen earned an ace to push the score 19-8. Little secured the third set 25-12 with an ace marking the fourth from the Cougars through the match.
Set Four
Utah State jumped to a 5-1 lead to start the fourth set, the largest lead of the night for the Aggies. BYU rallied back to match the score 7-7. Bower and Strong each landed kills to build a 4-0 run for the Cougars. Little’s 13th kill pushed BYU to a 16-11 lead. Kemavor put BYU within sight of clinching the set with a deep hit to the Aggie backcourt to set the score 20-14.
Utah State pushed back with a 5-1 run to bring the set within two points. The Cougars advanced to set point from another kill by Little with an assist from Bower. The Aggies fought off match point four times before knotting the set 24-24. Utah State pulled ahead on the next serve with BYU tying the set a moment later. Back-to-back strikes secured the Aggies the fourth set, 27-25.
Set Five
BYU took the early lead in the fifth set, going up 2-0 with a pair of blocks featuring Kemavor. The Aggies matched the score 6-6 which the Cougars responded back with a pair of points before a media timeout.
Little furthered the Cougars’ lead to 11-7 with her second ace of the evening. The Aggies remained in the competition with back-to-back kills to climb within two points. BYU entered match point on Strong’s 10th kill. Brielle Miller then secured the five-set match victory for the Cougars with an ace to end it, 15-11.
Up Next
The Cougars continue their in-state contests, facing off against Weber State on Friday night at the Swenson Gym in Ogden, Utah. The match is set for 6 p.m. MT with coverage on ESPN+.
