(St. George, Utah - Sept. 6, 2025) - The Trailblazers closed out the Utah Tech Tournament on Saturday afternoon winning a five-set thriller over Sacramento State at Burns Arena.

Utah Tech, who is off to its second straight 5-1 start the season, took sets over Sacramento State (2-4), 19-25, 25-23, 15-25, 25-23, 16-14 despite being outhit .182 to .273 for the Hornets.

Led by a standout effort from Utah Tech Tournament MVP Kennedi Knudsen, the senior outside hitter tallied her second straight double-double posting 29 kills and 10 digs.

Taylor Snow chipped in 14 kills and a team-high nine blocks while setter Marley Roe also posted a double-double leading the team with 27 assists & 14 digs while adding three service aces.

How It Happened
See its nine-set winning streak come to an end with an opening set loss to the Hornets, the Trailblazers answered back with a two-point win in set two jumping out to a 7-0 lead.

A 15-4 run for the Hornets pushed Sacramento State ahead 15-11, but a 6-2 run for the Trailblazers tied the set at 17 after a Hornet attack error.

Continuing to trade points, the Hornets pushed ahead 23-21, but the Trailblazers rolled off four straight points, capped off with a kill by Snow, to even the match at one set apiece.

Sacramento State rolled to a 25-15 win in the third set, but again the Trailblazers continued to fight tough in the fourth set.

Leading 13-10 after a service ace by Tehanie Waters, the Hornets took their final lead at 19-18 before a 5-0 run for UT put the home team ahead, 23-19 after a block by Snow.

The set closed out with a kill by Knudsen after the Hornets were able to get within one late in the set.

Heading to a fifth set for the second straight Saturday, the Hornets jumped out to a 9-7 lead before three straight points for UT put the Trailblazers ahead by one.

The Hornets responded with three straight points of their own to lead 12-10 and with the Hornets on the brink of match point leading 14-11, the Trailblazers rallied with five straight points getting back-to-back kills by Tessa Treanor and Knudsen to complete the come-from-behind win.

Numbers To Know

• It is only the fourth time in the NCAA era the Trailblazers have started 5-1 or better after six matches joining 2009, 2018 and 2024.
• The Trailblazers led the way in service aces (7-5) & blocks (12-10), but the Hornets led the charge in kills (70-59) & digs (75-67).
• Knudsen's 29 kills are the third-most in a single match in program history only bested by herself last season vs. Utah Valley (34) and Whittnee Nihipali (33) in 2022.
• Knudsen's 77 total attacks also tied for second-most in a single match as only Nihipali (88) has ever had more.

Up Next
The Trailblazers travel to the Boise State Invitational for three matches starting Thursday night against Boise State (4-2) at 6 p.m.

2025 Utah Tech Tournament All-Tournament Team
Kennedi Knudsen, Utah Tech - MVP
Mya Laufiso, Utah Tech
Casidy Fried, Utah Tech
Kaylie Ray, Weber State
Brielle Rueckert, Weber State
Skylar Yates, Charleston Southern