(Ogden, Utah - Aug. 31, 2024) - The Trailblazers wrapped up the opening weekend of play on Saturday afternoon sweeping Denver at the Weber State Invitational.

Completing a sweep of the Pioneers, Utah Tech (2-1) took sets, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23 to notch their second win over DU on the weekend.

Led by a team-high 14 kills from junior outside hitter Kennedi Knudsen, the Trailblazers added seven kills apiece from Hannah Howard and Tessa Treanor.

Mya Laufiso tallied a team-best nine digs while Marley Roe dished out a team-leading 14 assists.

Falling behind by as many as six in the opening set, Denver (1-2) jumped out to an 18-12 lead, but a 6-1 run by the Trailblazers brought UT back within one at 19-18.

After a service ace by the Pioneers put Denver ahead 23-20, the Trailblazers reeled off five straight points, finished off by a kill by Treanor, to take a 1-0 set lead.

The second set saw the Trailblazers take a 20-14 lead after back-to-back kills by Howard and a kill by Knudsen finished out a 25-17 set win.

The third set saw the Blazers dominate from the start getting out to an 11-2 lead after a kill by Knudsen.

With Denver pulling within three at 16-13 after an ace by DU, the Trailblazers pushed their lead to four at 23-19 after a pair of blocks.

Three straight points for Denver brought the Pioneers back within one, but a service error and kill by Nana Asiata sealed the sweep for the Trailblazers.

Utah Tech led Denver in kills (37-32), service aces (8-7), blocks (9-7) and digs (34-31).

The Trailblazers return to action next weekend at the Gonzaga Tournament facing Cal State Fullerton (0-3) on Thursday and Gonzaga (1-1) on Friday in Spokane, Wash.

Notables

• Knudsen earned Tournament MVP honors. 
• Laufiso, Asiata & Howard earned All-Tournament honors.
• The Trailblazers are off to their second 2-1 start in the Division I (Spring 2021) era joining the 2022 team.
• Utah Tech completed four sweeps in 2023 and it was the 10th under fourth-year head coach Camilla Hafoka.