LOGAN, UT – The Lions fall to the Utah State Aggies in an intense five-set show down Saturday afternoon.
 
The Aggies secured the opening point with a kill, but the Lions quickly responded by getting two consecutive points. Both teams traded points until USU went on a 5-0 run, leading LMU, 8-5. Although Jacquelyn Moore and Amethyst Harper notched kills to narrow the gap for the Lions, the Aggies responded, extending their lead to, 13-10. The largest deficit of the set occurred when the Aggies started on an unanswered five-point streak, establishing a 23-13 lead. The Lions found it challenging to mount a comeback, ultimately conceding set one to USU by a score of 25-16.
 
The Aggies briefly gained the upper hand with a kill, but their lead was short-lived as LMU sparked a five-point streak, resulting in a score of, 11-5. Later in the set, a kill by Harper ignited a run, pushing the Lions to a five-point lead, 18-13. A block assisted by Kari Geissberger and Bella Mathis triggered a 3-0 run for LMU, extending their lead to seven, 23-16. The set concluded with the Lions securing two more points, ultimately winning set two, 25-17.
 
Set three turned into a tightly contested battle between the two teams. No team established a lead greater than two points until the Lions went ahead by three, 12-9, courtesy of three consecutive kills. Toward the end of the set, the Aggies would gain momentum capitalizing on an attack error from the Lions to go on an unanswered five-point streak, leaping them into a 20-18 lead. Although Moore secured a kill, it was too late for the Lions. The Aggies sealed the deal with a final kill, ultimately winning the set 25-20.
 
In set four, the Lions secured the first point when USU committed a service error. LMU then established an early 7-3 lead, notably when Harper achieved a solo block. However, the Aggies rallied, embarking on a 4-0 run to overtake LMU, 8-7. USU later managed another impressive 5-0 streak, putting them two points ahead at, 14-12. The next two plays were two attack errors by USU, evening the score at, 14-14. A kill by Michelle Shaffer ignited a 3-0 run for LMU, prompting the Aggies to call a timeout. Coming out of the timeout, the Lions secured two more points, compelling the Aggies to use another timeout. Despite their efforts to make a plan to halt the Lions, it proved ineffective. Isabella Bareford sealed the set with a service ace, concluding it at, 25-18.
 
In the fifth set, the Lions kicked things off with a strong 3-0 run, but the Aggies quickly responded with a 3-0 run of their own, leveling the score, 3-3. LMU then jumped ahead with a crucial five-point streak initiated by a solo block from Shaffer, giving the Lions a 9-5 lead. However, the Aggies weren't backing down, countering with four consecutive points to even the score once more. The set remained intensely competitive, but the Aggies ultimately seized control securing the set, 15-13, and clinching the game with a final score of 3-2.
 
Harper led the Lions in kills, securing an impressive 17, while Moore excelled in blocking, recording five blocks. Sam Hastings demonstrated her defensive skills, tallying a team-leading 11 digs, while Bareford contributed significantly with 23 assists.
 
The Lions next game will be their home opener, Sept. 7, against the Marist Red Foxes at 7 PM in Gersten Pavilion.

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