Colorado State University Athletics
Thursday, November 18
Logan, UT
7:00 PM
Colorado State
17-9,13-4Mountain West
1
at
3
Utah State
21-8,13-4Mountain West
1
2
3
4
F
Colorado St.
25
25
10
22
1
Utah St.
21
27
25
25
3
Rams Get Shutdown at Utah State
11/18/2021 10:39:00 PM | Volleyball
The loss snaps Colorado State’s 32-match winning streak against the Aggies.
LOGAN, Utah – Colorado State started the match cruising, but got disrupted through the match and dropped the match 3-1 at Utah State on Thursday night. The Rams now need a win at Boise State in the regular-season finale on Saturday to clinch a share of the Mountain West title – should Utah State defeat Wyoming.
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"We started out playing really well," head coach Tom Hilbert said. "Our serving was disrupting them, which is what we expected to happen. We won the first set. Second set, Utah State jumps ahead and we have a nice comeback, but we seemed to miss serves and make crucial mistakes at the end of the set.
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The Rams were tied 23-23 late in the second before giving Utah State a pair of serves into the net, including one at a Rams' set-point at 25-24.
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"The second set was crucial," said Hilbert. "We were in a position to win the second. If we win that, it gives us a cushion. It changes the psychological outlook of the match for both teams."
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The Rams struggled to tame down Utah State's offense, led by Kristy Frank who floored 22 kills - tying the most against CSU - in the four setter, while also hitting .378.
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"Kristy Frank for Utah State heated up and we really didn't have an answer for her," added Hilbert. "From that point, it was their blocking and us not being able to stop Frank, but I thought we did a pretty good job on the rest of the team.
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Colorado State could not get over Utah State's block as it was rejected a season-high 18 times during the match.
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"I think it was a combination of Utah State loading up on our outside hitters and our outsides not having a lot of variety of what they were doing," said Hilbert. "It was a good lesson for them. I saw Annie Sullivan get into a rut and climb back out of it. Kennedy Stanford never really made it out of it. Our attack points need to be better and our shots need to be smarter. I thought because of Utah State's blocking, our attacking went into a rut and we were kind of climbing out of it towards the end of the match, but we didn't have enough time."
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Sasha Colombo had a career night, dropping in five aces – good enough to tie for fourth all-time in a four-set match and tied for first in modern scoring history.
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"She was very good as an attacker and a server. She has no fear and I really like that about her service game. We need that every night."
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Colorado State will close the season on Saturday, playing at Boise State at noon. The Rams need a win to clinch a share of the Mountain West title, now tied the Utah State with a 13-4 Mountain West record. Utah State will finish the season hosting Wyoming on Saturday.
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"We need to prepare," said Hilbert. "We know Boise State is good. Our team has great respect for them. I think we will play very competitively. Boise State will have a great crowd, like the one Utah State had tonight. It will be the same environment. We just need to play better than we did tonight and cannot dig ourselves into holes.
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"We started out playing really well," head coach Tom Hilbert said. "Our serving was disrupting them, which is what we expected to happen. We won the first set. Second set, Utah State jumps ahead and we have a nice comeback, but we seemed to miss serves and make crucial mistakes at the end of the set.
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The Rams were tied 23-23 late in the second before giving Utah State a pair of serves into the net, including one at a Rams' set-point at 25-24.
Â
"The second set was crucial," said Hilbert. "We were in a position to win the second. If we win that, it gives us a cushion. It changes the psychological outlook of the match for both teams."
Â
The Rams struggled to tame down Utah State's offense, led by Kristy Frank who floored 22 kills - tying the most against CSU - in the four setter, while also hitting .378.
Â
"Kristy Frank for Utah State heated up and we really didn't have an answer for her," added Hilbert. "From that point, it was their blocking and us not being able to stop Frank, but I thought we did a pretty good job on the rest of the team.
Â
Colorado State could not get over Utah State's block as it was rejected a season-high 18 times during the match.
Â
"I think it was a combination of Utah State loading up on our outside hitters and our outsides not having a lot of variety of what they were doing," said Hilbert. "It was a good lesson for them. I saw Annie Sullivan get into a rut and climb back out of it. Kennedy Stanford never really made it out of it. Our attack points need to be better and our shots need to be smarter. I thought because of Utah State's blocking, our attacking went into a rut and we were kind of climbing out of it towards the end of the match, but we didn't have enough time."
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Sasha Colombo had a career night, dropping in five aces – good enough to tie for fourth all-time in a four-set match and tied for first in modern scoring history.
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"She was very good as an attacker and a server. She has no fear and I really like that about her service game. We need that every night."
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Colorado State will close the season on Saturday, playing at Boise State at noon. The Rams need a win to clinch a share of the Mountain West title, now tied the Utah State with a 13-4 Mountain West record. Utah State will finish the season hosting Wyoming on Saturday.
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"We need to prepare," said Hilbert. "We know Boise State is good. Our team has great respect for them. I think we will play very competitively. Boise State will have a great crowd, like the one Utah State had tonight. It will be the same environment. We just need to play better than we did tonight and cannot dig ourselves into holes.
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Team Stats
CSU
USU
Kills
46
53
Errors
27
20
Attempts
147
134
Hitting %
.129
.246
Points
60
75
Assists
45
51
Aces
6
4
Blocks
8
18
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
8
Aces
5
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
6
Players Mentioned
CSU Volleyball Players Press Conference - August 6
Thursday, August 07
Emily Kohan Press Conference - August 6
Thursday, August 07
Colorado State Volleyball: Building Champions to Win Championship
Monday, May 05
2024 Colorado State Volleyball
Thursday, February 13