Wrapping up non-conference play, the Southern Utah University women’s volleyball team will travel to Las Vegas to compete in the Dig in the Desert tournament starting on Friday, Sept. 19. Southern Utah will first play the University of California, Riverside at 4 p.m.
The T-Birds will then play the University of Nevada, Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. Both games will be played in The Pavilion.
Southern Utah
Coming off their first win of the season, SUU is 1-8 on the year and 1-5 away from Cedar City. One of SUU’s biggest struggles has been their performance in five-set matches. The T-Birds are 0-4 this year in games that reach a fifth set.
One of the leaders for Southern Utah has been outside hitter Victoria Zibecchi. The senior from Argentina leads SUU with 92 kills and has five games with 10 kills or more.
Defensively, Kaitlyn Hoelker has stood out the most for Southern Utah. Hoelker, a freshman from San Clemente, California has 83 digs, averaging 2.31 digs a set.
UC Riverside
This will be the second time SUU and UC Riverside have met up this season. UC Riverside out dueled the T-Birds on Sept. 4, winning the match 3-2 in Cedar City. Despite the win, the Highlanders are 2-6 on the season.
One of the reasons UC Riverside pulled off the win over SUU was because of Mia Delahoussaye. The junior from West Covina, California recorded 21 kills in their win, six more than any SUU player.
On the front lines, Evelyn Hendrix dominated up front for UC Riverside. Hendrix recorded eight blocks against SUU and leads the Highlanders with 20 blocks on the year.
UNLV
The Rebels, the host of the tournament, are 5-3 on the year but only 1-2 at home. Despite their struggles at home, UNLV is 4-1 in their last five games.
UNLV is led on offense by a pair of outside hitters. Alondra Alarcon and Jaida Harris both have 80 kills on the year. If the Rebels are to continue their recent success, they will need Alarcon and Harris to continue to play at a high level.
Sophomore Rheanna Deen-Jackson has been incredible for UNLV on the defensive side of things. Deen-Jackson ranks No. 24 in the nation, averaging 1.44 blocks per set.
Southern Utah is 2-5 all-time against UC Riverside and 0-7 all-time against UNLV.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Heather Turner
