CEDAR CITY, Utah - Back-to-back home matches await the Southern Utah University women's volleyball team as the Thunderbirds host Seattle U on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. MT and Utah Valley on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. MT.

MATCH INFO

Southern Utah vs. Seattle U

• Date: Thursday, Oct. 12

• First Serve: 6:30 p.m. MT

• Live Stream | Live Stats

Southern Utah vs. Utah Valley

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 14

• First Serve: 1 p.m. MT

• Live Stream | Live Stats

HEAD COACH KACEY NADY SAYS

"We are excited to be at home for two weeks and are looking to capitalize on this opportunity. It is important to us to take pride in defending our home court. The focus of this week includes having the attack first mentality as well as executing a smaggressive offense (smart and aggressive) with tough serving."

TOP T-BIRDS

• Andrea Spasojevic (2.50), Hana Makonova (2.05), and Natasha Obradovic (2.02) lead the team in kills each set.

• Teniyah Leuluai ranks ninth in the Western Athletic Conference in assists with 7.60 per set.

• Spasojevic (3.31), Arianna Rossi (2.83), and Calli Johnson (2.78) lead the defensive effort with digs each set.

• Molly McDermott leads the team with 0.38 serving aces per set.

LAST TIME OUT

Southern Utah vs. Tarleton State

The first set was a close contest. The two squads matched each other point for point, finding themselves tied at 16-16 midway through the set. The Texans used a 5-3 run to go in front by two, 21-19. Southern Utah responded, with Andrea Spasojevic delivering a kill and two serving aces to take a one point lead (22-21). The Thunderbirds went on to claim the set 26-24.

Southern Utah stayed hot in set two, jumping out to an 11-7 lead. Tarleton fought back to tie the contest at 13-13. The two squads took turns scoring points, with the score being 20-20 near the end of the set. The Thunderbirds were able to break the stalemate with a 5-1 run, with Natasha Obradovic scoring the clinching kill to seize the set 25-21.

Tarleton took a 15-12 advantage in set three. The Thunderbirds replied with a 6-3 sprint to tie the score at 18-18. Despite five kills from Spasojevic, the Texans would go on to take the set 25-23.

Kennady Charlton scored two kills and Hana Makonova added two blocks to push SUU to a 14-10 lead in the fourth set. Tarleton battled back, scoring six of the next eight points to even the score at 16-16. Southern Utah retook the lead with an 8-3 run highlighted by a pair of kills from Spasojevic to make the score 24-19. Obradovic delivered the final kill for SUU to win the set 25-21 and the match 3-1.

SCOUTING REPORT: SEATTLE U REDHAWKS

• The Redhawks are coached by Michelle Cole, who is in her fourth year with the team.

• Seattle U owns a 5-12 overall record with a 0-6 effort in Western Athletic Conference play.

• Arianna Bilby leads the Redhawks with 3.53 kills a set.

• Elif Teskoy dishes out 9.05 assists each set.

• Katlyn Sipes leads the defensive effort with 3.57 digs a set.

SCOUTING REPORT: UTAH VALLEY WOLVERINES

• The Wolverines are led by Sam Atoa, who is in his 25th year with the program.

• Utah Valley has compiled a 5-12 start to the season with a 2-4 record in WAC play. The Wolverines will face Utah Tech on Thursday before taking on SUU on Saturday.

• Avery Shewell averages 3.13 kills a set for Utah Valley.

• Abbie Medeiros (4.90) and Evalyn Chism (4.10) share distribution duties, leading the squad in assists per set.

• Lani Matavao hustles for 3.70 digs each set.

HISTORY

• Southern Utah has only faced Seattle U once, with the Thunderbirds sweeping the Redhawks last season.

• Utah Valley owns a 9-2 all-time series lead against SUU.

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