CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Southern Utah University women's volleyball team will host a pair of home matches this week. First up, the Thunderbirds will face UT Arlington on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m. MT. Next, SUU will play Stephen F. Austin on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11:30 a.m. MT.

COACH KACEY NADY SAYS

"We are looking forward to this week that will have great competition from Texas. Something about this team is we love being challenged and we have two more opportunities to compete hard. We also look forward to honoring those with our Power in Pink match Saturday."

MATCH INFO

Southern Utah vs. UT Arlington

    Date: Thursday, Oct. 19

    First Serve: 6:30 p.m. MT

    Live Stream | Live Stats

Southern Utah vs. Stephen F. Austin

    Date: Saturday, Oct. 21

    First Serve: 11:30 a.m. MT

    Live Stream | Live Stats

TOP T-BIRDS

• Andrea Spasojevic showcases her versatile skillset, leading the 'Birds in kills (2.59), digs (3.30), and serving aces (0.36) each set.

• Hana Makonova (2.09), Natasha Obradovic (1.98), and Molly McDermott (1.75) power the Thunderbirds offense each set with kills of their own.

• Teniyah Leuluai ranks seventh in the Western Athletic Conference in assists, averaging 7.34 per set.

• Arianna Rossi (2.82) and Calli Johnson (2.62) hustle defensively for SUU, racking up over two digs each set.

LAST TIME OUT

Southern Utah vs. Utah Valley

The Wolverines jumped out to a 12-3 lead in set one. Andrea Spasojevic and Natasha Obradovic combined for seven kills to help Southern Utah fight back to get within striking distance, 21-15, but it wasn't enough as Utah Valley would go on to win the set 25-17.

Utah Valley took a 10-2 advantage to start the second set. The Thunderbirds rallied to get within four points, 12-8, midway through. Despite five kills from Hana Makonova in the period, the Wolverines would take set two 25-15.

Spasojevic fired off four straight kills to begin the third set, helping SUU tie the score at 6-6. The Thunderbirds caught fire, storming ahead with an 8-2 run to go in front by six points (14-8). Southern Utah managed to maintain an 18-13 advantage late in the set. However, Utah Valley would fight back to tie the score at 23-23 before going on to narrowly claim the set 25-23 and the match 3-0.

SCOUTING REPORT: UT ARLINGTON MAVERICKS

• UT Arlington is led by head coach J.T. Wenger, who is in his seventh season with the team.

• The Mavericks own a 15-6 overall record, with a 4-4 effort in WAC play.

• Brianna Ford leads UT Arlington with 4.03 kills each set.

• Mollie Blank serves as the team's primary distributor, dishing out 8.85 assists per set.

• Alli Wells hustles on the defensive end, collecting 4.14 digs a set.

SCOUTING REPORT: STEPHEN F. AUSTIN LADYJACKS

• The Ladyjacks are coached by Debbie Humphries, who is in her 35th year at the helm of the program.

• Stephen F. Austin has compiled a 19-3 record, with an unblemished 8-0 start to conference play.

• Ielan Bradley averages 3.32 kills per set for the Ladyjacks

• Jayden Flynn (5.92) and Maddy Bourque (4.87) lead the team in assists per set.

• Izabella Ortiz protects the net for Stephen F. Austin, recording 1.36 blocks each set.

HISTORY

• Southern Utah has only faced UT Arlington once, with the Mavericks coming away with a five-set victory in 2022.

• Stephen F. Austin leads the all-time series 1-0.

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