CEDAR CITY, Utah – Southern Utah volleyball (2-14, 1-4 WAC) continues conference play Saturday at home against Utah Valley (8-9, 4-1). First serve is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. MT. The matchup against the Wolverines marks another test for the Thunderbirds, who are aiming to find consistency and climb the WAC standings.
Last Time Out
Victoria Zibecchi led the Thunderbirds with seven kills on a .263 hitting percentage, while Ezgi Kucuk added six kills on an efficient .417 clip. Setter Asya Akbulut paced the offense with 13 assists and added seven digs. Libero Swayzee Mason anchored the back row with 11 assists and five digs, while Kaitlyn Aleshire contributed four kills and two blocks. SUU hit .135 as a team with 28 kills and 32 digs.
What to Watch
Southern Utah will look to tighten its offense, entering the matchup with a .135 hitting percentage and 10.2 kills per set. The Thunderbirds have shown defensive improvement, averaging 11.3 digs and 2.0 blocks per set. Serving will be key, as SUU has recorded 80 aces but committed 147 service errors.
Opponents are hitting .235 against Southern Utah, averaging 12.4 kills and 2.5 blocks per set. To stay competitive, the Thunderbirds must clean up their serve-pass game and limit unforced errors. Staying steady in serve receive and finding rhythm early could give SUU a chance to earn its second conference win.
Scouting the Wolverines
Utah Valley enters the matchup as one of the WAC's top defensive teams, averaging 3.4 blocks per set, nearly a full block more than its opponents. The Wolverines are hitting .198 on the season while holding opponents to .173, showcasing a balanced attack and disciplined net play. Offensively, Utah Valley averages 12.3 kills per set, supported by 11.1 assists per set from a steady setting unit.
Serving has been a strength, with 101 aces on the season, averaging 1.6 per set. With a strong front line and consistent passing, Utah Valley will look to extend its winning conference record.
History
Southern Utah has faced Utah Valley 16 times since their first matchup on Sept. 22, 2009. The Thunderbirds hold a 2-14 all-time record, with notable victories including a 3-0 home win on Sept. 18, 2012, and a 3-2 victory on Oct. 21, 2014. SUU has remained competitive in recent years, taking sets in several matches and showing growth under its current program.
Coach's Corner
"Utah Valley is a strong team, and we know it's going to be a tough match," said head coach Danielle Jensen. "Our focus has to be on executing our game plan. We've had some close matches, and I believe if we play our game and stay mentally focused, we can challenge them and create opportunities to win."
Game Information
Opponent: Utah Valley Wolverines
Date/Time: Saturday, October 18 - 12:30 PM MT
Location: America First Event Center - Cedar City, Utah
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: Here
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