CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Southern Utah University women's volleyball team is set to begin the 2023 season against some stellar competition at the Bakersfield Tournament in California. The Thunderbirds will play two matches on Friday, starting the day against Providence College at 1 p.m. MT followed by a match against Eastern Washington at 6 p.m. MT. The Thunderbirds wrap up play on Saturday against the host school California State University at Bakersfield at 5 p.m. MT.

BAKERSFIELD TOURNAMENT INFO

Dates: Aug. 25-26

Location: Bakersfield, CA

Venue: Icardo Center

MATCH SCHEDULE

Friday, Aug. 25

• Southern Utah vs. Providence College, 1 p.m. MT

• Southern Utah vs. Eastern Washington, 6 p.m. MT

• Live Stats

Saturday, Aug. 26

• Southern Utah vs. CSU Bakersfield, 5 p.m. MT

• Live Stream | Live Stats

PREVIEW

SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

SUU is looking to build off of the 2022 season where the 'Birds finished with a 7-17 record and earned a trip to the Western Athletic Conference tournament.

Southern Utah and Head Coach Kacey Nady bring back three key players from last year's rotation in Molly McDermott, Carissa Richie, and Calli Johnson. In addition, the Thunderbirds have brought in a strong recruiting class this offseason, adding 12 new players to the roster.

"The main goal for us was getting our newcomers acclimated and playing together," said Coach Nady. "I think we are in a really good spot going into our first weekend."

PROVIDENCE FRIARS

Head Coach Margot Royer-Johnson begins her 24th year at the helm of the Friars. Providence finished the past season with a 12-18 effort, placing tenth overall in the Big East with a 4-14 conference record.

Shaliyah Rhoden is a key returner for the Friars. Rhoden ranked fourth on the team in points per set last year and posted double-digit kills in 11 matches. Providence also brings back an experienced setter in Sammie Ruggles. Ruggles led the squad with 5.71 assists per set in 2022.

EASTERN WASHINGTON EAGLES

Head Coach Jon Haruguchi made his coaching debut at Eastern Washington last year, leading the Eagles to an 11-18 record. The Eagles finished seventh overall in the Big Sky with a 6-10 conference record.

Eastern Washington returns its top offensive contributor in Sage Brustad, who led the squad in kills per set with 3.30. On the defensive side of the net, the Eagles bring back Alyssa Radke, who totaled 85 blocks last year.

CSU BAKERSFIELD ROADRUNNERS

Cal State Bakersfield is led by Head Coach Giovana Melo, who is entering her tenth year with the program. The Roadrunners struggled last year, putting together a 7-25 record over the course of the season.

CSU Bakersfield returns some impactful players to its roster. Ava Palm powered the offense last year with 2.77 points per set. The 'Runners also bring back their defensive anchor with Ella Ertelova, who led the squad with 1.09 blocks a set.

HISTORY

• The Thunderbirds have only faced the Friars once, sweeping Providence convincingly in 2014.

• Eastern Washington leads the series 10-7 against Southern Utah.

• CSU Bakersfield and the T-Birds are tied 1-1 all-time, with the last match being played in 2012.

FOLLOW US

Stay up to date on the Thunderbird Volleyball program by following @SUUVolleyball on Twitter and Instagram and liking the Southern Utah Volleyball page on Facebook.

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