Seeking their first conference win of the year, the Southern Utah University women’s volleyball team hosts California Baptist University on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 12:30 p.m. in the America First Event Center.
This game can also be streamed on ESPN+.
Southern Utah
For head coach Danielle Jensen, it hasn’t been the best start to her first year at Southern Utah. SUU is 1-12 on the season and 0-2 in the Western Athletic Conference. In two conference games, Southern Utah has yet to win a set.
On the front line, Victoria Zibeechi has been the best hitter for the T-Birds. The junior from Villa Angela, Argentina leads SUU with 118 kills, averaging 2.36 kills a set.
Defensively, the top performer for SUU has been Kaitlyn Aleshire. The junior from Aurora, Illinois leads all Thunderbirds with 51 blocks. Amaya Tobias is second on the team with 39.
California Baptist
The Lancers come into this matchup 5-10 on the year and 1-1 in WAC play. CBU’s one win in conference play came against Abilene Christian University, where they won 3-1.
One of the top hitters in all of the WAC has been CBU’s Emery DeJong. The sophomore from Mount Vernon, Washington is No. 4 in the conference averaging 3.38 kills a set.
On the other side of things, California Baptist is led by a trio of girls defensively. Jordyn Waite-Ward, Filippa Botcher and DeJong have been the Lancers best players up front. Waite-Ward leads all girls with 40 blocks followed by Botcher with 32.
DeJong is third on the team with 25.
Southern Utah is 2-6 all-time against California Baptist with their last win coming on Oct. 10, 2024.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Heather Turner
