USU volleyball: volleyball has solid scrimmage Saturday

Utah State volleyball had a solid first scrimmage Saturday morning at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum in the squad's first match-type action in preparation for the 2012 season.

USU head coach Grayson DuBose split the squad into two teams, and DuBose was the referee while assistant coaches Jeremiah Larsen and Taubi Neves each coached a team, with Larsen coaching Team White and Neves coaching Team Blue.

Senior opposite side hitter Shay Sorensen (North Ogden, Utah) had 17 kills while sophomore outside hitter Rachel Orr (Thatcher, Ariz.) added 10 kills to help Team White to a 3-0 win (25-16, 27-25, 15-12), rallying for the win in the second set after being down eight points on several different occasions, the last at 22-14, before bouncing back to take the set.

DuBose was pleased with the squad's performance Saturday morning, singling out sophomore setter Paige Neves (Otto, Wyo.), freshman outside hitter Candace Richins (Kaysville, Utah) and sophomore middle blocker Kaitlyn VanHoff (Draper, Utah). Neves had 34 assists for Team White, while Richins had five kills to go with four digs, two block assists and a service ace. VanHoff added four block assists, three kills and three digs.

"It's always different to put on the jersey and play like a real match," DuBose said. "It's nice to be able to put on the jerseys and have a formal type setting."

The USU volleyball team will be in action on Tuesday, Aug. 21, for the Blue-White Scrimmage at 7 p.m. at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. Prior to the scrimmage, the team will be holding a free Mother-Daughter skills clinic. Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, and the clinic will run from 5-6 p.m. prior to the team's Blue-White Scrimmage.

To register online, go to www.utahstateaggies.com/volleyballclinic.html. For more information, contact the USU Volleyball Office at (435) 797-2063.

The Aggies will officially kick off the season by hosting the Utah State Invitational, sponsored by Gossner Foods, on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 24-25, welcoming in-state foes Utah, Southern Utah and Weber State along with Portland.

Utah State volleyball tickets are available by contacting the USU Ticket Office at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum or by phone by calling 1-888-USTATE-1 or (435) 797-0305.

Fans can follow the Aggie volleyball program at twitter.com/USUVolleyball or on facebook at facebook.com/USUVolleyball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program at twitter.com/USUAthletics or on facebook at facebook.com/USUAthletics.

Doug Hoffman is the assistant athletic director for Utah State University Athletic Media Relations.