CEDAR CITY, Utah – Southern Utah volleyball (2-15, 1-5 WAC) continues conference play Saturday at home against Abilene Christian (8-14, 3-5). First serve is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. MT. The matchup against the Wildcats marks another test for the Thunderbirds, who are aiming for a second conference win after a three-game losing streak.
Last Time Out
Victoria Zibecchi led the Thunderbirds with eight kills on a .208 attack percentage, while Kaitlyn Hoelker added six kills. Asya Akbulut led SUU with 14 assists. Swayzee Mason contributed seven assists and also led the team with 12 digs.
What to Watch
Southern Utah will look to find rhythm offensively, entering the matchup with a .130 hitting percentage and averaging 10.2 kills per set. The Thunderbirds have shown flashes of improvement on defense, collecting 11.4 digs and 2.0 blocks per set while holding opponents to a .237 attack percentage.
Serving consistency will be a major focus, as SUU has totaled 83 aces this season but also committed 153 service errors. Cleaning up the serve-pass game and reducing unforced mistakes could help the Thunderbirds sustain longer rallies and generate more efficient offense. Establishing early momentum and staying composed in serve receive will be key as Southern Utah seeks its second conference win.
Scouting the Wildcats
Abilene Christian comes into the matchup looking to build on its offensive rhythm, hitting .182 on the season while averaging 12.8 kills per set. The Wildcats have been efficient in ball distribution with 11.7 assists per set, helping them stay competitive in conference play. From the service line, ACU has been aggressive with 147 aces but also prone to errors with 182. Defensively, the Wildcats are holding opponents to a .191 hitting percentage and collecting 13.5 digs per set, though blocking has been a challenge at just 1.7 per set.
History
This will be the sixth meeting between the Thunderbirds and Wildcats. Abilene Christian holds a narrow 3-2 edge in the series, having won the last two matchups. Southern Utah will look to flip the script and even the series, as the Thunderbirds are 2-0 at home in the all-time matchup.
Coach's Corner
"We know Abilene Christian will test us in every phase of the game," said head coach Danielle Jensen. "Our focus is on controlling what we can: staying consistent, minimizing errors, and executing our plan. If we do that, we can challenge them and make it a tough match."
Game Information
Opponent: Abilene Christian University
Date/Time: Saturday, October 25 - 12:30 PM MT
Location: America First Event Center - Cedar City, Utah
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: Here
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