CEDAR CITY, Utah - Coming off of a one-game home stint, the Southern Utah University women's volleyball team will hit the road for their final tournament of non-conference play at the Arizona Volleyball Wildcat Classic. The Thunderbirds will begin the weekend on Friday, Sept. 20 at 4:00 p.m. MT for a match versus North Dakota State before wrapping up with the host team Arizona on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 1:00 p.m. MT.

Head Coach Kacey Nady Said:

"We're looking forward to wrapping up our non-conference with two great opponents. NDSU is a gritty team that is talented both offensively and defensively. Arizona remains to be beaten and if we play our best volleyball, we can be their first loss. This weekend will definitely prepare us for conference play."

T-Bird Tidbits

• Andrea Spasojevic continues her impressive season averaging nearly three kills per set.
• Teniyah Leuluai bolsters the offense, averaging 7.36 assists per frame.
• Carissa Richie controls the defensive frontcourt, compiling 38 total blocks on the year for over one block per set.

Last Time Out

On Tuesday, the Thunderbirds hosted former conference rival Northern Arizona in a midweek matchup.

Southern Utah began the match strong, firing off five straight points to start the first. After a 6-1 run from the Lumberjacks tied it up at six apiece, the Thunderbirds responded with a balanced attack from Marlee Ervin, Carissa Richie, and Andrea Spasojevic to hold a 15-12 lead at the media break. Coming out of the timeout, the 'Birds continued to rack, with kills from Finley Charapata and Spasojevic giving the club a late 23-21 lead. However, a quick 4-0 run from Northern Arizona erased that lead and despite the rally efforts from Southern Utah, gave the Lumberjacks set number one 25-23.

The second frame started with much of the same from the Thunderbirds, with a furious 6-0 run giving the squad an 8-3 set lead. The scoring runs would continue for both teams, as a 6-0 response from the Lumberjacks would give them the 12-9 advantage before a 4-0 run from Southern Utah tied it up at 14 apiece. After an NAU service error gave the 'Birds a one-point advantage, the Lumberjacks began to take control, scoring seven of the next eight to go up 21-16. Despite another 4-0 advantage from Southern Utah to put it back within one, that would be the closest the club would get, as Northern Arizona would go on to put away the second 25-21.

In the third, the Lumberjacks flipped the script, stringing together a 4-0 and 5-0 run to take a 12-7 lead halfway through the set. With their backs against the wall, the Thunderbirds began to chip away at the deficit, led by big kills by Victoria Zibecchi and Spasojevic, the team found themselves down only one, 15-14. However, Northern Arizona took control once again, scoring three straight followed by a 7-0 scoring run to put the set on ice 25-16 and give their team a 3-0 win.

Scouting Report

North Dakota State

• The Bison are 3-4 on the season after winning three of four at last weekend's NDSU/UND Tournament.
• Ali Hinze leads the offense with 3.24 kills per set.
• Maddy Dombeck spreads the wealth with just over four assists per set.
• Defensively, Logan O'Brien hustles for 3.55 digs per set.

Arizona

• Coming off of two sweeps and a 3-1 win at the New Mexico State Tournament last weekend, the Wildcats are a perfect 9-0 on the season.
• Jordan Wilson (104) and Jaelyn Hodge (91) lead the club in total kills.
• Avery Scoggins controls the offense with a team high 10.79 assists per set.
• In the frontcourt, Kiari Robey protects the net with 32 total blocks on the season.

History

The Bison lead the all-time series 6-0 against the Thunderbirds. The clubs last played each other in 2011.

Saturday will mark the first ever matchup between the Thunderbirds and the Wildcats.

Tickets

For single-game tickets, be sure to visit tbirdtickets.com.

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