Women's Volleyball | 10/29/2024 2:30:00 PM

Who | Utah Tech (13-7, 7-3 WAC) vs. Seattle U (5-15, 3-7 WAC)
When | Thursday, Oct. 31 – 6 p.m.
Where | Burns Arena - St. George, Utah
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X) + #UtahTechBlazers

Who | Utah Tech (13-7, 7-3 WAC) vs. Utah Valley (15-7, 6-4 WAC)
When | Saturday, Nov. 2 – 7 p.m.
Where | Burns Arena - St. George, Utah
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X) + #UtahTechBlazers

OPENING SERVE
Utah Tech enters the week on a three-match winning streak and has won four of its last five matches.

The Trailblazers swept a pair of matches in Texas sweeping both Abilene Christian (25-21, 25-22, 27-25) and Tarleton State (25-19, 25-22, 25-20).

The Blazers were led by a season-leading 20 kills from Kennedi Knudsen against the Wildcats while Tessa Treanor posted a team-best 10 digs to go along with six kills.

Two days later, the Trailblazers earned their third win in six days with a sweep at Tarleton. UT was once again led in kills by Knudsen with 11 while freshman setter Ireland Avalos added a season-best 20 assists.

DOUBLE DIGIT WIN SEASONS
For the second time in the Trailblazers' five seasons in Division I, Utah Tech has reached double digit wins with 13 victories.

It is Utah Tech's winningest season in the Division I era, surpassing the 11 wins the Blazers tallied in 2022.

WAC STANDINGS
The Trailblazers sit in a tie for second in the WAC with Grand Canyon posting a 7-3 conference mark.

UT Arlington currently leads the WAC at 10-0 and became the first team to clinch a berth in the WAC Tournament.

WAC RANKINGS
As a team, the Trailblazers rank second in the WAC in opponent hitting percentage (.162) & sit third in blocks per set (2.66), digs per set (14.08), hitting percentage (.206), kills per set (12.50) and total blocks (196.5).

Individually, junior Casidy Fried continues to be a stalwart at the net checking in third in blocks per set (1.42) and ranks fourth in total blocks (104).

Knudsen, who has led the Trailblazers in kills in 18 of 20 matches this season, ranks fifth in the conference both kills (272) and kills per set (3.68).

Laufiso checks in sixth in the WAC in digs (266) and has led the Blazers in digs in 13 matches.

SWEEPS ON SWEEPS
The Trailblazers have notched eight sweeps so far this season, their most since posting 11 in 2018.

KNUDSEN CONTINUES TO DOMINATE
Knudsen continues to be a dominant force for the Trailblazers as she has led or tied for the team lead in kills in 18 of 20 matches this season.

In addition, she has reached double digit kills in 19 matches and posted a season-high 20 kills at Abilene Christian on Oct. 24.

HONORING HANNAH HOWARD ON SENIOR NIGHT
Redshirt senior opposite hitter Hannah Howard will be honored prior to Saturday's match for Senior Night.

A fifth-year senior from Bountiful, Utah, Howard has continued to ascend in the career ranks in both kills (691- 4th) and attacks (1,993 - 6th) this season.

Howard has tallied double-digit kills in six contests with a season-high 13 at Gonzaga on Sept. 6 and recently moved into the top 10 in sets played appearing in her 309th career set last Saturday at Tarleton State.

A LOOK AT SEATTLE U
The Redhawks are 5-15 overall on the season and 3-7 in the WAC, tied with Abilene Christian and California Baptist for sixth in the conference.

With a 1-9 mark on the road, the Redhawks lone road win came at Tarleton on Oct. 3 and Seattle U also has wins over CSUN, Air Force, Southern Utah and ACU.

The Redhawks currently rank second in the WAC in service aces per set (1.73) and are third in team service aces (126).

Individually, senior defensive specialist/libero Katlyn Spies ranks first in the WAC in digs per set (4.14) and junior outside hitter Merima Smajlovic ranks third in the conference in aces per set (0.44) and is fourth in service aces (32).

SERIES HISTORY VS. SEATTLE
The Trailblazers lead the all-time series against Seattle U, 6-1 winning the last six meetings against the Redhawks.

Meeting for the first time in 2024 on Thursday, the Blazers swept both matches against Seattle U last season and won at home in four sets in their lone matchup in 2022.

A LOOK AT UTAH VALLEY
The Wolverines are 15-7 overall on the season with a 6-4 mark in the WAC, sitting fourth in the conference. Winners of five of its last six contests, UVU is 4-4 on the road this season and has WAC road wins at Seattle U, Tarleton State and Grand Canyon

The Wolverines currently sit atop the WAC in aces per set (1.76), blocks per set (2.82), service aces (144) and total blocks (231.5).

Individually, junior outside hitter Avery Shewell leads the WAC and ranks top 40 nationally in both aces per set (0.53) and service aces (36). Junior middle blocker Bella Wooden has been a force at the net ranking in the top 10 in the nation in blocks per set (2nd-1.63) and blocks (2nd-132).

SERIES HISTORY VS. UTAH VALLEY
The Trailblazers trail the all-time series against Utah Valley, 9-1. UT is 0-5 at home against the Wolverines falling in four sets in St. George in 2023.

The Blazers earned their first-ever win over Utah Valley on Oct. 3 sweeping the Wolverines in Orem. UT held the Wolverines to .008 hitting percentage in the match and were led by Knudsen with 12 kills.

WAC TOURNAMENT
The WAC Tournament is set for Nov. 21-23 in Arlington, Texas hosted at the College Park Center with the top eight teams in the final regular season standings qualifying for postseason play.

UP NEXT

The Trailblazers head back on the road next week traveling to Grand Canyon (14-8, 7-3 WAC) on Nov. 7 and California Baptist (3-19, 3-7 WAC) on Nov. 9.