After losing all three games in the University of California San Diego Invitational, the Southern Utah University women’s volleyball team looks to secure their first win of the season this weekend at the Southern Utah Invitational. Their first games of the series will be against the University of Idaho at 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6th. That same evening at 6 p.m., SUU will face-off against the University of California Riverside. The final game of the series will be a rematch on Saturday, Sept. 7th at 11 a.m. against the University of Idaho. All games will be held at the America First Event Center.
Southern Utah
The Thunderbirds are 0-3 overall, losing the first match 1-3, second match 0-3 and the third 2-3. Victoria Zibecchi leads the team in kills with 29, followed by Finley Charapata, who has 26. Accounting for over half the team’s assists, is another standout stat leader, Teniyah Leuluai, who has secured 76 assists this season.
On the defensive front, Carissa Richie leads the T-Birds in blocks with 9.0, and Amaya Tobias sits in second with six. Arianna Rossi has the most digs on the team with 29, is closely followed by Charapata and Calli Johnson, who have 27 and 25 respectively.
The Thunderbirds won 3-0 in their last matchup against the Vandals, and lost 1-3 when they previously faced the Highlanders.
Idaho
The Vandals are also off to a rocky start this season with a record of 0-3. They have yet to win a set this year, and are hoping to get on track this weekend.
Zuzanna Wieczorek and Natalia Wielgus have been the standout offensive performers for Idaho. Wieczorek is their top scorer with a total of 36 kills, and Wielgus has led the team in assists every game with 54.
Defensively, the Vandals have struggled and will need to step up in order to win their games this weekend. Ceren Sert and Emma Patterson are in front with 4.0 blocks each. Ada Isik firmly holds the most digs on the team with 28, Wieczorek stands in second with 13 and Chiara Gennari in third with 10.
Riverside
Sitting at 0-4 after an invitational in Washington D.C., the Highlanders will be chasing their first win of the year as well.
Trinity Sheridan is the standout player for Riverside. She leads the team with 40 kills and seven service aces. She holds her own on the defensive end, placing second in digs with 35, and third in blocks with 7.0.
Other offensive performers to watch will be Carissa Wiles with 36 kills on the year, and Beatriz Silva, who leads the team with 99 assists.
Holding the defensive anchor are Kailyn Jager and Sydnee Rowe. Jager has 38 digs so far, and Rowe is at the helm in blocks with 10.0.
Author: Jacob McQueary
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Jack Paul
