Women's Volleyball | 9/17/2024 11:30:00 AM

Who | Utah Tech (6-2) vs. Northern Arizona (5-4)
When | Thursday, Sept. 19 – 6 p.m.
Where | Burns Arena - St. George, Utah
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X) + #UtahTechBlazers

Who | Utah Tech (6-2) at Northern Arizona (5-4)
When | Saturday, Sept. 21 – 2 p.m.
Where | Rolle Activity Center - Flagstaff, Ariz.
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X) + #UtahTechBlazers

OPENING SERVE
Utah Tech returns home for its home opener on Thursday after going 2-1 last weekend at the College of Charleston Invitational.

The Trailblazers opened tournament play on Friday with a five-set win over Middle Tennessee before falling in four sets to the host Cougars later that night.

The weekend wrapped up on Saturday afternoon with a sweep over Robert Morris with the Trailblazers hitting .279 as a team, including a stellar .424 in the third set, to complete their third sweep of the season.

HOT START
The Trailblazers are off to their fourth 6-2 start through eight matches in the NCAA era (since 2006) joining 2022, 2018 and 2009.

With a pair of wins this week over Northern Arizona, the Trailblazers will match their best start after 10 matches in program history set in 2018.

2024: 6-2---> 
2022: 6-2 ---> 6-4
2018: 6-2 ---> 8-2
2009: 6-2 ---> 7-3

KNUDSEN & SNOW EARN ALL-TOURNAMENT HONORS
Junior outside hitter Kennedi Knudsen and junior middle blocker Taylor Snow were named to the All-Tournament team at the College of Charleston Invitational.

Knudsen led the Trailblazers in kills against both Middle Tennessee and the College of Charleston tallying double-doubles in both matches with a career-high 18 digs against the Blue Raiders and added 10 digs against the Cougars.

Snow registered 23 kills in the tournament with 11 against Middle Tennessee along with five against the College of Charleston and seven versus Robert Morris. Snow added 16 blocks with a team-leading eight against MTSU.

A LOOK AT NORTHERN ARIZONA
The Lumberjacks are off to a 5-4 start to the season after sweeping Southern Utah on Tuesday, 25-23, 25-21, 25-16 in Cedar City.

NAU is coming off a pair of wins at home last weekend at the Lumberjack Classic defeating New Mexico in five sets and sweeping WAC member Tarleton State.

The Lumberjacks also recorded a pair of wins at the UC San Diego Tournament on opening weekend with a four-set win over Southern Utah and a sweep against Gonzaga.

NAU has dropped matches against UC San Diego, Texas Tech, Green Bay and Florida Atlantic.

Coming off a 7-20 overall record in 2023 and a 4-12 mark in the Big Sky to finish ninth in the league, NAU was picked ninth in the Big Sky Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Entering the week, the Lumberjacks lead the conference in digs per set (18.25) to rank seventh in the nation.NAU is second in kills per set (12.57) & opponent hitting percentage (.167) and checks in third in hitting percentage (.197).

Individually, senior outside hitter Taylor Jacobsen leads the Big Sky in kills per set (4.04) & attacks per set (12.00) while ranking fifth in kills (113). Senior defensive specialist Millie O'Ketter leads the WAC in digs per set (5.11) and digs (143).

SERIES HISTORY VS. NORTHERN ARIZONA
This will be the Trailblazers and Lumberjacks second all-time meeting.

The two teams met in Utah Tech's 2022 season opener in Flagstaff with the Trailblazers winning in four sets.

Hannah Howard led the Blazers in that contest with 14 kills adding four digs and two assists.

WAC RANKINGS
The Trailblazers are among the WAC leaders in a number of categories ranking second in opponent hitting percentage (.166), rank third in aces per set (1.63), blocks per set (2.38), kills per set (12.31) and is fourth in hitting percentage (.204).

Individually, Knudsen checks in fourth in the WAC in kills per set (3.69) and total kills (118).

Newcomer Casidy Fried ranks fourth in blocks (36) and blocks per set (1.16). Sophomore libero Mya Laufiso is tied for third in the conference in digs (109).

HOME SCHEDULE
The Trailblazers host nine matches at Burns Arena this season starting with the home opener on Thursday. The WAC slate opens at home against Abilene Christian on Sept. 26 and wraps up with the regular season finale against UT Arlington on Nov. 16.

UP NEXT
The Trailblazers open WAC play at home next week hosting Abilene Christian (3-6) on Sept. 26 and Tarleton State (1-7) on Sept. 28.