Who | Utah Tech (7-11, 3-5 WAC) vs. Stephen F. Austin (19-3, 8-0 WAC) / UT Arlington (15-6, 4-4 WAC)
When | Thursday, Oct. 19 – 6 p.m. / Saturday, Oct. 21 – 1 p.m.
Where | Burns Arena – St. George, Utah
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X) + #UtahTechBlazers

'DOGS SPLIT PAIR OF MATCHES AT HOME: Utah Tech is coming off splitting a pair of matches at home last weekend falling in four sets to Utah Valley on Thursday before sweeping Seattle on Saturday. It was the Trailblazers third sweep of the season and UT hit .274 as a team while the duo of Sydney Reese and Kennedi Knudsen each led UT with nine kills apiece.

WAC STANDINGS: The Trailblazers enter the week tied for seventh in the WAC with California Baptist at 3-5 as the top eight teams in the regular season standings advance to the WAC Tournament hosted by Utah Valley on Nov. 16-18.

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. LUMBERJACKS: The Trailblazers trail the all-time series against Stephen F. Austin, 0-1 after falling in straight sets on the road in 2022. This will be the team's lone meeting against the Lumberjacks in 2023.

UTAH TECH SERIES vs. MAVERICKS: The Trailblazers lead the all-time series against UT Arlington, 1-0 after defeating the Mavericks in five sets on the road in 2022. This will also the team's lone meeting against UT Arlington this season.

A LOOK AT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN: Stephen F. Austin enters this weekend's action against the Blazers with a 19-3 overall record and a perfect 8-0 mark in the WAC to lead the conference. The Lumberjacks, who are on an eight-match winning streak, are 4-2 on the road this season with setbacks at South Alabama and No. 18 Baylor.

Individually, sophomore middle blocker Izabella Ortiz leads the WAC in blocks per set (1.36), hitting percentage (.334) and total blocks (105) where she ranks eighth in the nation.

As a team, the Lumberjacks lead the WAC and rank in the top 20 nationally in the conference in total team blocks (3rd, 213.0), opposing hitting percentage (8th, .145), blocks per set (11th, 2.77) and digs (17th, 1,265).

A LOOK AT UT ARLINGTON: UT Arlington is 15-6 overall on the season and is tied for fifth in the WAC with Utah Valley with a 4-4 record. The Mavericks are also 4-2 on the road this season.

Individually, senior outside hitter Brianna Ford leads the WAC in total kills (290) and graduate senior libero Alli Wells ranks second in digs (315) and digs per set (4.14).

As a team, UTA leads the WAC in assists per set (12.72), kills per set (13.89), assists (987) & kills (1,056) and is second in digs per set (4.14), total digs (315) & kills per set (4.03).

WAC RANKINGS: The Blazers enter the week ranking third in opposing hitting percentage (.171), fourth in service aces (114) & service aces per set (1.58), fifth in blocks per set (2.00) & blocks (144.0) and seventh in kills (835).

Sophomore Kennedi Knudsen is among the WAC leaders in kills per set sitting sixth at 3.13 and senior Emma Ricks is seventh in digs (243).

HARDY CLIMBING CAREER RANKS: Senior middle blocker Kate Hardy continues to climb the career ranks in three blocking categories sitting third in solo blocks (52), fifth in total blocks (257) and sixth in block assits (205). The Idaho native is also second all-time in career hitting percentage (.291).

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: Utah Tech heads out on the road next week traveling to Grand Canyon and California Baptist.