CEDAR CITY, Utah – Southern Utah volleyball (1-12, 0-2) continues WAC conference play on Saturday at home, taking on California Baptist ( 5-10, 1-2). First serve is scheduled for 12:30 PM MT. The Thunderbirds aim to bounce back after their matchup against UT Arlington, where Southern Utah dropped the match 0-3. The Lancers continue their trip to Utah, which concludes against the Thunderbirds. This will be the ninth time that Southern Utah and California Baptist will face off against each other. The Lancers hold the all-time series lead, 6-2, and also took the most recent match last season, 3-1.
Coach Jensen Said
"Every match allows us to continue to grow and fix problems that have hurt us. California Baptist presents a strong challenge for us, and we're excited to compete. We've had stretches where we've executed at a high level, but the key is finding consistency across all phases. Our focus is on playing clean volleyball, minimizing errors, and fighting for every point."
Keys for the Thunderbirds
Southern Utah enters Saturday's matchup averaging 10.5 kills per set and hitting a .130 hitting percentage. The Thunderbirds have had sets throughout the season where they have seen excellent attacks, but have struggled to find them consistently. Southern Utah's offense has been balanced with 482 assists and has added 56 service aces. Continuing to serve execution will be a key area that enables success to happen.
Defensively, the Thunderbirds average 11.9 digs per set and have recorded 99 blocks. The Thunderbirds' 30 solo blocks show an ability to make plays at the net, an area that will be crucial against California Baptist's efficient hitters.
Victoria Zibbechi continues to be a strong presence for Southern Utah on the outside. The senior leads the Thunderbirds with 118 kills on the season, averaging 2.36 per set, and has totaled a team-high 136.5 points. Zibbechi's ability to score in key moments gives SUU a reliable option on the attack. As the Thunderbirds continue WAC play, her consistency at the net will be vital in generating offensive rhythm and putting pressure on California Baptist's defense.
California Baptist
California Baptist is hitting .170 as a team and averages 11.8 kills per set. They've recorded 584 assists on the year, and run a balanced and steady offensive attack. At the service line, CBU has produced 88 aces but has committed 136 errors, showing both aggression and inconsistency in that phase of the game.
Defensively, the Lancers average 12 digs per set and have posted 111 total blocks. Their net presence is highlighted by 45 solo blocks, which ranks among the top marks in the WAC, providing a strong advantage in blocking opposing hitters.
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