CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Southern Utah University women's volleyball team will close out its non-conference play with a pair of home matches. The Thunderbirds will first host Marshall on Friday, Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m. MT, followed by a match against Idaho on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 12 p.m. MT.

MATCH INFO

Southern Utah vs. Marshall

• Date: Friday, Sept. 15

• Start Time: 6:30 p.m. MT.

• Live Stream | Live Stats

Southern Utah vs. Idaho

• Date: Saturday, Sept. 16

• Start Time: 12 p.m. MT.

• Live Stream | Live Stats

COACH KACEY NADY SAYS

"We are excited we have the opportunity to compete against Marshall and Idaho in our tournament. Both are teams that are comprised of talented athletes and we strive to finish our last weekend before conference strong!"

TOP T-BIRDS

• Andrea Spasojevic (2.23) and Hana Makonova (2.03) each tally over two kills per set.

• Teniyah Leuluai leads the team and ranks sixth overall in the Western Athletic Conference with 7.55 assists per set.

• Defensively, Calli Johnson comes to play with a team-high 3.07 digs each set.

LAST TIME OUT

Southern Utah started off strong in set one, taking an early 8-6 lead. The Rebels used an 11-2 run to jump ahead 17-10. Madison Walker added a pair of kills to bring the 'Birds within five (20-15), but that was the closest they would get as the Rebels would go on to take the set 25-16.

UNLV stayed hot to begin the second set, jumping out to a 16-7 advantage midway through. Hana Makonova and Molly McDermott each tallied two kills to help the Thunderbirds charge back with a ferocious 13-6 sprint to cut the lead to only two (22-20). The Rebels managed to narrowly claim the set 25-21.

The Rebels took a 7-2 lead in set three. Amaya Tobias recorded two kills as the Thunderbirds came back to trim the score to 14-11 halfway through the set. Southern Utah stayed within striking distance late in the set, trailing by only four (20-16). UNLV used a 5-2 run to win the set 25-18 and the match 3-0.

SCOUTING REPORT

MARSHALL THUNDERING HERD

• The Herd are led by head coach Ari Aganus, who is in her fifth year with the program.

• Marshall has had a respectable start to its season, owning a 5-6 overall record.

• Kylee Stokes tallies a team-high 2.77 kills per set, while Brynn Brown is able to spark the offense with 8.05 assists each set.

• Defensively, Bria Samilton puts up a solid effort with 3.08 digs each set.

IDAHO VANDALS

• The Vandals are coached by Chris Gonzalez, who is in his second season with the team.

• Idaho has struggled to begin the season, compiling a 1-8 record over its first nine matches.

• Taryn Vrieling leads the way offensively for the Vandals with 2.15 kills a set. 

• The Vandals split assisting duties between Lacy Cox (4.67) and Natalia Wielgus (3.86) who lead the squad in assists per set.

• Aine Doty hustles defensively for Idaho, amassing 4.97 digs a set.

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