CEDAR CITY, Utah -- Southern Utah will host Idaho State on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 6:30 pm MT as the Thunderbirds continue to hunt for their first conference win back in the Big Sky. The Thunderbirds will have to be at their absolute best to pull off the upset over one of the top teams in the conference, the Bengals.

Speaking on the challenge in front of her team, Coach Danielle Jensen said: 

"The biggest thing for us going into these next two matches is staying consistent with who we are. We know what these matches are going to ask of us, and we will have to stay consistent and keep pressure on these teams throughout the entire match. If we can do that, I think we'll put ourselves in a good position."

The Thunderbirds

Defense has been the Thunderbirds' calling card in conference play, with the team averaging nearly 11.9 digs along with nearly two blocks per set since starting the conference slate. That defense will be tested against a Bengals offense that comes into the match averaging almost 13 kills per set and has hit a healthy .243 against Big Sky opponents.

Natalie Moore continues to lead the net-front defense with 38 total blocks on the season, while also being the only Southern Utah player with double-digit solo blocks at 10. Emilia Linden has also been a reliable anchor at the net, with a current streak of nine straight matches with at least one block and an average of one block per set in conference play. On the back line, sophomore Amanda Mendoza has taken on an increased role, averaging over two digs per set since the start of the conference schedule, including a career-high 17 digs against Utah Tech last week.

Southern Utah's offense will need to take pressure off the defense by ending rallies quickly and preventing Idaho State from finding a rhythm. Thunderbirds hitters will have the opportunity for a big match as they face a defense that allows over 13 kills per set this season.

Ryen Smith has been the Thunderbirds' most consistent performer on offense with six straight outings of at least five kills while also leading all Southern Utah hitters with 26 kills over four conference matches. Audrey Atwood has enjoyed a run of strong play over her last four matches, averaging nearly six kills per match, and has now climbed to third in total scoring with 81 points for the season. Celeste Uruena Jensen and Talea Berry continue to be an excellent tandem at the setter position as each averages over three assists per set and are separated by fewer than 20 total assists on the season.

Scouting Report

Idaho State sits at 12-4 and is on a four-match win streak since the start of the conference schedule, making the Bengals one of two remaining unbeaten teams in Big Sky play. On offense, Idaho State has scored at least 40 kills in three of its last four outings and has recorded at least five service aces in three straight matches. Defensively, the Bengals have recorded no fewer than six total blocks in a conference match, including a season-high 15 total rejections last time out against Portland State.

Series History

This will be the first meeting between the Thunderbirds and Bengals since Sept. 2022, when Southern Utah won a non-conference match against Idaho State by a score of 3-2 (25-21, 24-26, 23-25, 25-20, 15-6) in Cedar City. The two schools have met 22 times since 2012, with the Bengals leading the series 15-7 while the Thunderbirds have won five of the last six contests.

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