CEDAR CITY, Utah – Southern Utah volleyball will travel to Las Vegas to face two opponents at the Dig in the Desert tournament. Southern Utah (1-8) will face a familiar foe in UC Riverside (2-6) in what will be a rematch from September 4th, a match in which UC Riverside came out on top 3-2. The Thunderbirds will also play the host, UNLV (5-3), to wrap up the tournament and non-conference play.
Coach Jensen Said
"Our team continues to grow with every match, and we're starting to see that hard work pay off. This weekend is a great chance to test ourselves against quality opponents, and if we play with discipline and trust each other, I like our chances to take a big step forward."
The Thunderbirds are scheduled to face two opponents at the Dig in the Desert:
- Friday, September 19 – vs. UC Riverside 4 PM MT
- Saturday, September 12 – vs. UNLV 2 PM MT
Keys for the Thunderbirds
Heading into the matchup, the Thunderbirds have shown flashes of strong play but will look to fine-tune a few areas to find more consistency. Offensively, the team has been aggressive at the net, tallying 381 kills so far this season, and they've done a solid job creating opportunities with 134 attack attempts. However, improving their hitting efficiency (.137) and cutting down on attack errors could really help them convert more of those swings into points. From the service line, SUU has delivered 41 aces, but there's room to improve by limiting service errors and capitalizing on scoring chances from the back line. On the defensive end, the T-Birds have been steady with 410 digs and a respectable 1.9 blocks per set, but increasing their block totals and tightening up serve receive could give them an edge in long rallies. Overall, the pieces are there; the team just needs to clean up a few areas to turn close sets into wins.
UC Riverside
UC Riverside is a team that's still finding its rhythm early in the season. Offensively, the Highlanders are averaging 10.7 kills per set and have shown they can put pressure on opponents with nearly 1,000 attack attempts already. However, their hitting percentage sits at .138, and limiting errors at the net will be key if they want to boost their offensive efficiency. From the service line, they're putting up 1.3 aces per set, but serve-receive has been a challenge, allowing opponents to score 1.8 aces per set. Defensively, UC Riverside is averaging a solid 12.2 digs per set, showing they can stay in long rallies, but their blocking numbers (1.1 per set) are on the lower end and could be an area SUU looks to take advantage of. Overall, the Highlanders are a scrappy team with potential, having shown flashes on both sides of the ball. If they can clean up a few areas, they're capable of making things competitive.
UNLV
UNLV is a well-rounded team that's been playing with confidence on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the Rebels have been efficient and consistent, hitting at a solid .232 clip while averaging 12.7 kills per set, outpacing their opponents in both categories. They've also been sharp from the service line, racking up 50 aces (1.9 per set) and keeping errors to a minimum. On the defensive side, UNLV has held opponents to a .177 hitting percentage and has been steady in serve receive, committing just 1.2 reception errors per set. Their blocking game has also been a strength, averaging 2.4 blocks per set with just seven blocking errors total, a stat that speaks to their discipline at the net. With their balance, depth, and ability to control tempo, UNLV will be a tough test for any opponent.
Where to Watch
- Southern Utah vs UC Riverside here
- Southern Utah vs UNLV here
Tickets
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