Who | Utah Tech (3-5) vs. Idaho (1-8)/Marshall (5-6)
When | Friday, Sept. 15 – 6:30 p.m. / Saturday, Sept. 16 – 12 p.m.
Where | Burns Arena – St. George, Utah
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X) + #UtahTechBlazers

WEEKEND MATCHES: Utah Tech remains at home this weekend to host Idaho and Marshall in a pair of matches at Burns Arena.

HOME OPENER: In 18 home openers in the NCAA era (since 2006), the Trailblazers are 12-6 after falling in four sets to Fresno State on Sept. 8.

FIVE-SET BATTLE AGAINST 'DOGS: The Trailblazers and Bulldogs battled for five sets last Saturday with Utah Tech jumping out to a 2-1 set lead and grabbed a 24-19 lead in the fourth set before the 'Dogs rallied back to win the fourth set, 27-25 and 17-15 in the fifth set. Kennedi Knudsen led the team with her second double-double of the season finishing with 18 kills and 12 digs along with two service aces, an assist and a block.

NEW MEXICO TOURNAMENT: Utah Tech posted a 2-1 slate at the Lobo Invitational on Sept. 1-2 with a four-set win over CSU Bakersfield on Friday and a thrilling five-set win over New Mexico on Saturday. A pair of Trailblazers earned All-Tournament honors in freshman outside hitter Sydney Reese and senior setter Taela Laufiso. Reese totaled 27 kills, 17 blocks and four digs and held a share of the team lead in blocks in all three matches. Laufiso totaled 67 assists with 36 in a four-set win over CSU Bakersfield.

OPENING WEEKEND: The Blazers opened up the 2023 season on Aug. 25-26 at the Weber State Tournament sweeping Manhattan in the tournament finale. The Trailblazers also squared off against host Weber State, suffering a fought five-set loss in the season opener, and fell in four sets versus Saint Mary's. A pair of Trailblazers earned all-tournament honors in freshman libero Mya Laufiso after tallying 105 assists, 15 kills, 29 digs and two total blocks. Senior libero Emma Ricks totaled 46 digs and 11 assists in Utah Tech's three matches.

A LOOK AT THE VANDALS: Idaho is off to a 1-8 start to the season with a sweep over UC Riverside on Aug. 27 at the Vandal Volleyball Invitational. The Vandals have dropped six straight matches winning a set over Gonzaga and Western Illinois.

Idaho, who went 4-24 in 2022 and 1-15 in the Big Sky, ranks fourth in the conference in team attacks per set (34.87), fifth in digs per set (14.00) and seventh in service aces per set (1.57) and service aces (47). Individually, the Vandals are led by sophomore libero Aine Doty who leads the Big Sky in digs per set (4.97) and is third in digs (149). Freshman setter Lacy Cox leads Idaho with 140 assists and middle blocker Renata Lopez Morales leads the club with 23 blocks.

A LOOK AT THE THUNDERING HERD: Marshall has gotten off to a 5-6 start to the season collecting a pair of wins over Furman and Queens last weekend at the Queens Fall Classic. The Thundering Herd, who went 10-20 in 2022 and 3-13 in the Sun Belt, also have wins over UNCG and a pair of sweeps against Bethune-Cookman and rank second in the Sun Belt in assists (457) and kills (492). Marshall is also third in the conference in digs (587) and total team attacks (1,283).

Individually, junior defensive specialist Bria Samilton leads the Sun Belt in service aces (20) while junior setter Brynn Brown is fourth in hitting percentage (.342) and assists (325).

WAC RANKINGS: Senior setter Taela Laufiso checks in seventh in the WAC in assists per set (7.32) while Emma Ricks sits 10th in digs per set (3.32) & Kennedi Knudsen ranks 10th in kills (3.00). The Blazers rank third in the WAC in opposing hitting percentage (.155) while they are fifth in blocks per set (2.03) & are sixth in service aces (45).

HOME SCHEDULE: After the Trailblazers' wrap up non-conference action this weekend, Utah Tech will host eight WAC opponents starting with its WAC home opener against California Baptist on Sept. 21.

UP NEXT: The Blazers open WAC play at home next week hosting California Baptist on Sept. 21 and Grand Canyon on Sept. 23.