Women's Volleyball | 9/4/2024 2:00:00 PM
Who | Utah Tech (2-1) vs. Cal State Fullerton (0-3)
When | Thursday, Sept. 5 – 5 p.m.
Where | Charlotte Y. Martin Centre - Spokane, Wash.
Social Media | Instagram +
Twitter (X) + #UtahTechBlazers
Who | Utah Tech (2-1) at Gonzaga (1-2)
When | Friday, Sept. 6 - 7 p.m.
Where | Charlotte Y. Martin Centre - Spokane, Wash.
Social Media | Instagram +
Twitter (X) + #UtahTechBlazers
OPENING SERVE: Utah Tech is off to a 2-1 start to the season after a pair of wins over Denver at the Weber State Wildcat Invitational.
The Trailblazers also battled the host Wildcats on Friday falling in four sets.
HOT START: The Trailblazers are off to their second 2-1 start in the Division I (Spring 2021) era joining the 2022 team.
KNUDSEN EARNS MVP HONORS: Junior outside hitter Kennedi Knudsen earned Weber State Invitational MVP honors after totaling 43 kills in the tournament while hitting .275. Knudsen led the Trailblazers in kills in all three matches with 18 in a five-set win over Denver on Friday, 14 in a sweep of the Pioneers along with 11 against Weber State on Friday night.
TRIO TABBED ALL-TOURNAMENT: The trio of Nana Asiata, Mya Laufiso and Hannah Howard each earned All-Tournament honors at the Weber State Invitational. Asiata totaled 22 kills in the tournament along with six blocks. Laufiso recorded a team-leading 33 digs in the tournament leading the team in all three matches, including a pair of matches with 12 digs. Howard registered 22 kills in the tournament and added nine blocks, including four in a five-set win against Denver.
A LOOK AT CAL STATE FULLERTON: This will be the first meeting against the Cal State Fullerton in program history.
Fullerton is off to an 0-3 start dropping a pair of matches to Louisiana Tech along with a four-set battle against San Jose State.
The Titans posted a 2-25 overall record in 2023 with a 1-17 mark in the Big West.
Fullerton ranks fourth in the Big West in kills per set (12.82) and are sixth in aces per set (1.45), assists per set (11.45).
Senior libero Ashley Chacon sits third in the Big West in digs per set (4.00) and fifth in digs (44). Sophomore setter Ryleigh Garis checks in fourth in the conference in assists per set (9.91) and assists (109).
A LOOK AT GONZAGA: This will also be the Trailblazers first meeting against Gonzaga in program history.
Gonzaga is out to a 1-2 start with a sweep over Southern Utah at the UC San Diego Invitational. The Bulldogs were swept by Northern Arizona while falling in four sets to host UC San Diego.
The Bulldogs are coming off a 3-24 overall record in 2023 with a 0-16 mark in the WCC.
Gonzaga ranks second in the WCC in digs per set (15.60) and are sixth in aces per set (1.40), blocks per set (2.00), opponent hitting percentage (.222) & total blocks (20.0).
Freshman middle blocker Hayley Ogden leads the WCC in blocks per set (1.50) and is second in blocks (15).
Freshman libero Maddie Cugino sits second in digs per set (4.20) and totaled 22 digs against UC San Diego.
WAC RANKINGS: The Trailblazers are among the WAC leaders ranking second in the conference in aces per set (2.00), blocks per set (2.50), service aces (24) and total blocks (30.0).
Individually, newcomer Casidy Fried leads the WAC in service aces (8) and total blocks (17). Knudsen checks in second in kills (43) and fourth in kills per set (3.58).
WAC PRESEASON POLL: The Trailblazers were selected seventh in the WAC Preseason Coaches' Poll racking up 22 points. Grand Canyon was picked first collecting 60 points and four first-place votes while UT Arlington was second with 59 points and the remaining five first-place votes.
The poll was rounded out by Utah Valley (50 pts.), California Baptist (41 pts.), Tarleton State (35 pts.) and Abilene Christian (31 pts.) in third through sixth place.
After the Trailblazers was Southern Utah (19 pts.) and Seattle U (9 pts.) in eighth and ninth place to round out the poll.
ON THE ROAD: Since joining the NCAA ranks in 2006, Utah Tech has recorded a 97-100 (.492) record in true-road games and has logged a winning record on the road nine times (2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019). Additionally, the Trailblazers have posted a 41-51 (.446) record in neutral-site games with a 2-0 mark in 2024.
UP NEXT: The Trailblazers travel to South Carolina next week for the College of Charleston Classic facing Middle Tennessee (0-2), College of Charleston (1-2) and Robert Morris (2-1).
