No. 14 Eagles prepare for conference tournament

No. 11 Paige Shumway dives for a ball in the match at the BDAC.

The Utah State University Eastern Women’s Volleyball team entered the past two weeks with momentum after defeating Colorado Northwestern Community College on their home court. The 14th-ranked Lady Eagles had no time to rest, with tough matchups ahead to conclude their regular season. They faced College of Southern Nevada on Oct. 20, Snow College on Oct. 21, Salt Lake Community College on Oct. 27, and College of Southern Idaho on Oct. 28.

First, the Lady Eagles squared off against College of Southern Nevada at the Bunnell-Dmitrich Athletic Center in Price. Both teams started strong in the first set, keeping the score close throughout. USU Eastern narrowly secured the first set with a final score of 25-23. The Lady Eagles maintained their momentum and convincingly won the second set with a score of 25-13. The third set played out similarly, with the Lady Eagles defeating the Lady Coyotes 25-14 to secure another victory. Utah State University Eastern dominated in statistics, with Rachel West recording nine kills, Jenna Thorkelson four aces, Casidy Fried seven blocks, Agata Makowska 15 assists, and Paige Shumway 12 digs.

Snow College was the Lady Eagles’ next matchup, once again in Price at the BDAC. Unlike their game just one day prior, the Lady Badgers were determined to prove themselves after losing to Utah State on their home court. The first set saw both teams competing fiercely, with the Lady Eagles coming out on top with a close score of 25-19. The Lady Eagles secured another victory over Snow College in the second set with a final score of 25-22. Despite the Lady Badgers’ efforts to rally back, the Lady Eagles won the third set 25-21. Statistical leaders for the game included Emma Grant with 13 kills, Lindsey Palmer with two aces, Casidy Fried with four blocks, Camber Dodson with 17 assists, and Paige Shumway with 15 digs.

USUE traveled to Salt Lake City to face the number four-ranked Salt Lake Community College, seeking to extend their winning streak to four. The Lady Bruins brought their “A-game,” and despite USUE’s efforts, they were swept by SLCC. The Lady Eagles lost the first set 20-25, the second set 23-25, and the third set 20-25. Statistical leaders for USUE included Emma Grant with seven kills, Jenna Thorkelson with one kill, Rachel West and Lauren Hamilton with four blocks, Camber Dodson with 15 assists, and Paige Shumway with 12 digs.

To wrap up their games for the past two weeks, Utah State University Eastern traveled to Twin Falls, Idaho, to play against the number ten-ranked College of Southern Idaho. Like their previous games, USUE displayed unwavering determination in each set. CSI took the first set 23-25, won the second set 21-25, and sealed the game with a third set score of 20-25. Statistical leaders for Utah State were Lauren Hamilton with ten kills, Emma Grant with two aces, Casidy Fried with eight blocks, Agata Makowska with 16 assists, and Paige Shumway with 19 digs. This won’t be the last meeting between USU Eastern and CSI this season, as the Lady Eagles are expected to face the Lady Golden Eagles again on Nov. 1 in Taylorsville, Utah, for the Region 18 Tournament.