Women's Volleyball 10/30/2018 12:21:00 PM Taylor Whitson - SUU Athletics Strategic Communication

Thunderbirds Travel to Montana for Two Matches

PREVIEW | Thunderbirds Travel to Montana for Two Matches

CEDAR CITY, Utah -- The Southern Utah University will travel to Montana this week to play both Montana State University and Montana University this week. The Thunderbirds will play the Bobcats of MSU on Thursday, November 1, at 7 p.m. and the Grizzlies of UM on Saturday, November 3, at 7 p.m.

"This weekend is a great opportunity for our girls to redeem themselves after last week's play," assistant coach Lorelle Hoyer said. "We have been waiting to get another chance at both Montana teams after our previous meetings at home, so we are very excited to compete over the next few days."

Last Time Out

The Thunderbirds fell 3-0 to Portland State University and Sacramento University at home last week. SUU is now 3-21, 2-10 in Big Sky Conference Play.

Janet Kalaniuvalu was the attack leader with 22 kills over the course of both games, followed closely by Emma Mangum who had 20 kills, 13 of them coming from the Portland State matchup where she also had a personal record of three service aces. Setter Alexis Averett was awarded for her All-Time Assist Leader record and totaled 63 assists over the week. Defensively Miahna Waters led with 29 digs.

Opponent Preview: Montana State University (10-13, 5-7 Big Sky)

The Bobcats went 1-1 in last week's play, winning the first 3-0 against the Grizzlies of University of Montana on Tuesday, October 23, and losing the second 3-0 to the Bears of the University of Northern Colorado on Friday, October 26.

Evi Scott and Hannah Wilson lead the attack for the Bobcats with 219 and 231 kills on the season. Libero Alyssa Rizzori holds her own on defense and from the service line earning the team high in both digs with 475 and aces with 33.

This is the first year Daniel Jones has been named the official head coach of the Bobcats.

In their last meeting, SUU lost 3-1 to MSU on Oct. 6, 2018.

Opponent Preview: University of Montana (8-16, 5-7 Big Sky)

The Grizzlies went 0-2 in last weeks conference play, dropping 3-0 on Tuesday, October 23, to Montana State University and 3-2 to University of Northern Colorado on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018.
Offensively, outside hitter Mykaela Hammer leads the Grizzlies with 283 kills on the season. Cassie Laramee comes second in kills with 140. The Grizzlies defense is split between three players, Sarina Moreno with 323 digs, Missy Huddleston with 221 and Maddy Marshall with 213.

Allison Lawrence is in her second year as head coach of the Grizzlies.

In their last meeting, SUU lost to UM 3-2 on Oct. 4, 2018.

Live Stats/Live Stream

A live stream for all of Southern Utah's mentioned matches will be available on PlutoTV and WatchBigSky.com

Follow Us

Stay updated on the Thunderbirds 24/7 by following @SUUVolleyball on Twitter and Instagram along with liking the Southern Utah Volleyball page on Facebook.
Fans can visit www.tbirdtickets.com to purchase tickets for the 2018 Thunderbird volleyball season.

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Players Mentioned

#4 Alexis Averett: S; 5' 10"; Junior

#10 Janet Kalaniuvalu: OH; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#3 Emma Mangum: OH/MB; 6' 4"; Freshman

#1 Miahna Waters: L; 5' 8"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#4 Alexis Averett
: 5' 10"; Junior
: S

#10 Janet Kalaniuvalu
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: OH

#3 Emma Mangum
: 6' 4"; Freshman
: OH/MB

#1 Miahna Waters
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: L