Who | Utah Tech (6-10, 2-4 WAC) vs. Utah Valley (5-12, 2-4 WAC) / Seattle (5-12, 0-6 WAC)
When | Thursday, Oct. 12 – 5 p.m. / Saturday, Oct. 14 – 1 p.m.
Where | Burns Arena – St. George, Utah
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X) + #UtahTechBlazers

'DOGS SPLIT PAIR OF MATCHES IN TEXAS: Utah Tech continued WAC play last weekend in Texas defeating Tarleton State in five sets on Thursday and fell in five sets at Abilene Christian on Saturday. The Trailblazers were led by a season-high 15 kills by Taylor Snow and rallied from a 2-1 set deficit to win the final two sets of the match. On Saturday, Kennedi Knudsen led the Blazers with 18 kills adding five digs and a solo block in a tough five-set loss at ACU.

BULLDOGS IN NON-CONFERENCE ACTION: The Trailblazers posted a 4-6 mark in non-conference action with wins over Manhattan, CSU Bakersfield, New Mexico & Idaho while falling in five-set battles to Weber State, Fresno State and Marshall. Competing in three tournaments, the Blazers had three players earn All-Tournament honors in Emma Ricks (Weber State Invite), Sydney Reese (New Mexico Lobo Invite & UT Invite) & Taela Laufiso (Weber State, New Mexico Lobo Invite & UT Invite).

UTAH TECH SERIES vs. WOLVERINES: The Trailblazers trail the all-time series against Utah Valley, 0-7 with the Wolverines winning both matches in 2022 by a sweep. UVU has won all four matches in St. George with a pair of wins in the spring of 2021, one in fall 2021 and last season. The two teams meet in the regular season finale in Orem on Nov. 11.

UTAH TECH SERIES vs. REDHAWKS: The Blazers lead the all-time series over Seattle, 4-1 with wins in the last four meetings. Utah Tech won in four sets at home last season and won in a five-set thriller in St. George in the fall of 2021. The Trailblazers head to Seattle on Nov. 9.

A LOOK AT UTAH VALLEY: Utah Valley is 5-12 on the season with a 2-4 record in the WAC with a five-set win at Abilene Christian and is coming off a sweep over Seattle at home on Monday.

The Wolverines are 2-3 on the road this season and rank second in the WAC in blocks per set (2.48) and blocks (156.5). UVU is seventh in assists per set (10.49), kills per set (11.37), opponent hitting percentage (.239) and kills (716).

Individually, senior middle blocker Caleigh Vagana sits second in the WAC in blocks per set (1.35) and fourth in blocks (65). Sophomore outside hitter Avery Shewell checks in sixth in kills per set (3.13) and eighth in service aces (24).

A LOOK AT SEATTLE: Seattle is 5-12 overall on the season and 0-6 in the WAC. The Redhawks are 2-6 on the road with wins at Idaho and George Mason.

As a team, Seattle is fifth in the WAC in blocks per set (1.83) and sixth in team attacks per set (34.52) and total team attacks (2,071). The Redhawks are seventh in digs per set (13.82) and total blocks (110.0).

Individually, junior outside hitter Arianna Bilby leads the WAC in attacks per set (11.13) and ranks third in kills per set (3.53).

WAC RANKINGS: The Blazers enter the week ranking third in opposing hitting percentage (.170), fourth in service aces (101) & service aces per set (1.55), fifth in blocks per set (1.94) & blocks (126.0) and seventh in kills (738).

Sophomore Kennedi Knudsen is among the WAC leaders in kills per set sitting seventh at 3.09 and senior Emma Ricks is 10th in digs (210).

HARDY CLIMBING CAREER RANKS: Senior middle blocker Kate Hardy continues to climb the career ranks in three blocking categories sitting third in solo blocks (51), fifth in total blocks (253) and sixth in block assits (202). The Idaho native is also second all-time in career hitting percentage (.292).

WAC TOURNAMENT SET FOR NOV. 16-18: The 2023 WAC Volleyball Tournament is set for Nov. 16-18 hosted by Utah Valley at Lockhart Arena in Orem, Utah. The top eight teams in the regular season standings advance to the tournament with Stephen F. Austin looking to defend its title from 2022.

UP NEXT: The Blazers stay at home next weekend hosting Stephen F. Austin on Oct. 19 and UT Arlington on Oct. 21 at Burns Arena.