Sept. 22, 2007

Final Stats

LOGAN, Utah - Amanda Nielson recorded a match-high 16 kills to lead Utah State's volleyball team to a three-game win (30-27, 30-27, 30-15) at Louisiana Tech Saturday night. USU is now 6-7 on the season and 3-1 in the Western Athletic Conference with the win, while LTU falls to 5-12 overall and 0-4 in league play with the loss.

Nielson, a senior opposite side hitter from West Valley City, Utah (Granger HS) hit .464 in the match as she had just three hitting errors on 28 attempts. Nielson finished the match with five digs, four blocks and one service ace to go along with her 16 kills. Senior outside hitter Monarisa Ale (Kahuku, Hawai'i) also had a solid match for USU as she hit .500 with seven kills.

Louisiana Tech was led by Kristen Fairbanks who had 11 kills, while Shannon Phillips added 10.

Utah State managed to win game one despite recording five fewer kills (18-13) than Louisiana Tech as the Lady Techsters also had three more hitting errors (8-5). USU finished game one by hitting .258 (13-5-31), while LTU hit .278 (18-8-36). Utah State continued to play well in game two as it hit .414 (16-4-29), as compared to a .206 (15-8-34) hitting percentage for the Louisiana Tech. USU then concluded the match by hitting .423 (12-1-26) in the third game to record the sweep.

Overall, Utah State hit a season-high .360 (41-10-86) in the match as compared to a .157 (44-28-102) hitting percentage for Louisiana Tech. USU also recorded 5.5 more team blocks (8.5-3.0) and three more service aces (5-2), while LTU had five more digs (31-26) and three more assists (43-40).

Utah State will return to action on Thursday, Sept. 27 when it plays at San Jose State at 8 p.m. (MT).

Utah State (3)               30         30         30
Louisiana Tech (0)           27         27         15