<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0qdrx7_0vjMeoXZ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0qdrx7_0vjMeoXZ00" width="1534" height="1022" ></figure>MATCH WEEKUtah Volleyball returns to the Jon M. Huntsman Center this weekend, beginning its inaugural Big 12 conference slate by welcoming in the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Colorado Buffaloes. The Utes host Texas Tech on Thursday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. MT to kickoff Big 12 action. Utah returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 29, at 1 p.m. MT, hosting former Pac-12 rival Colorado. Catch the Utes in action on ESPN+ with Jacob Suomi (play-by-play) and Stevie Shaughnessey (color) on the call on Thursday. Covering the match on Sunday will be Brian Preece (play-by-play) and Stevie Shaughnessey (color).QUICK HITS• Utah is back in the AVCA top 25 conversation for the first time since August 2022, as the Utes are receiving nine votes in the most recent poll.• The Utes last met the Red Raiders in 2001 twice here in Salt Lake City. Utah defeated Texas Tech in September, securing a 3-1 win at the Utah Classic. The Utes welcomed back Texas Tech in November for the NCAA First Round, defeating the Red Raiders, 3-0. • The last time Utah and Colorado collided in the Huntsman Center they closed the book on the Pac-12 regular season, as the Utes won the 3-2 battle.• As a team, Utah has averaged 14.6 kills per set with 13.3 assists per set. From the service line, the Utes are averaging 1.5 aces per set. On the defensive side of the net, Utah is posting 15.1 digs per set with 2.7 blocks per set.• The Utes won six consecutive matches to end the non-conference slate, winning four of six matches by way of a 3-0 decision. • Utah boasts a deep attack of five hitters averaging 2.0+ kills per set with a hitting percentage of .250 or better. Kamryn Gibadlo (3.28/.316), Lauren Jardine (3.23/.282), Emrie Satuala (2.41/.435), Rianne Vos (2.14/.369), Allie Olsen (2.00/.365).• Running the two setter system, Utah has seen great production out of newcomer Isabelle Marco as she leads the Utes in assists per set at 6.03. Meanwhile, the veteran setter Grace Hammond comes in at 5.20 assists per set.AMONG THE NATION'S BEST• Utah ranks among some of the best in the nation (2nd) and the Big 12 (1st) for kills per set, averaging 14.61.• The Utah defense has held its opponents to a .125 hitting percentage, ranking them 4th in the nation and 1st in the Big 12. • At the net, the Utes average 2.73 blocks per set ranking 2nd in the Big 12 and 24th in the nation.• As a team, the Utah offense has put together one of the most balanced attacks in the country, posting a .295 hitting percentage, raking 10th in the nation and 3rd in the Big 12.• Emrie Satuala leads the Utah team in hitting percentage, posting a .435 clip through 11 matches. Satuala ranks 17th in the nation and 4th in the Big 12.SCOUTING TEXAS TECHUtah vs. Texas Tech: 8-2H: 2-1 | A: 1-0 | N: 5-1Texas Tech comes to Salt Lake City with an 8-4 record, having posted a 3-3 mark over their final six non-conference slates. The Red Raiders are led by Mia Wesley (3.65), Brynn Williams (2.41) and Emily Merrick (2.41), each averaging over 2.25 kills per set. Wesley leads the Texas Tech attack with 157 total kills with Merrick tallying 106. Hanna Borer controls the Texas Tech offense, averaging 9.0 assists per set. Aliyah McDonald leads the blocking effort for the Red Raiders, averaging 1.26 blocks per set with 43 total blocks. Four Red Raiders have hit the 100 dig mark on the season, Maddie Correa (189), Abby Dickinson (111), Emily Contreras (102), Mia Wesley (100). SCOUTING COLORADOUtah vs. Colorado: 18-14H: 12-3 | A: 5-11 | N: 1-0Colorado makes the trip to Utah, taking on BYU and the Utes for the opening weekend of Big 12 competition. With a 7-5 overall record through the non-conference slate, the Buffs came away with a 3-3 record over the final six non-conference matches. Ana Burilovic leads the Colorado attack, averaging 3.73 kills per set. Sydney Jordan (2.73) and Cayla Payne (2.33) adds to the Buffs offense as the final two hitters averaging 2.0+ kills per set. Taylor Simpson has tallied 472 of Colorado's 536 assists, averaging 9.63 assists per set. Ana Burilovic (18), Sarah Morton (18) and Avery Bolles (17) dominate from the service line with double-digit aces each. At the net, Cayla Payne has been the defensive presence for the Buffs, averaging 1.04 blocks per set with a team-high 51 blocks. On the receiving side, two Buffs have hit the 100-digs mark with Sarah Morton (138) and Avery Bolles (102) each averaging over 2.0 digs per set. UP NEXTUtah Volleyball will hit the road, returning to familiar lands, making the trip to Arizona and Arizona State for its first conference road trip. The Utes will head to Tempe on Wednesday, Oct. 2, taking on the Sun Devils at 6:30 p.m. MT. Utah will conclude its trip to the desert, heading over to Tucson to take on the Wildcats on Friday, Oct. 4 at 12 p.m. MT.FOLLOW THE UTESFans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahVolleyball | Instagram: @UtahVolleyball | Facebook: Facebook.com/Utahvolleyball), and the official mobile app of Utah Athletics, Utah360.OFFICIAL MOBILE APP OF UTAH ATHLETICS – UTAH 360The official mobile app of Utah Athletics is Utah 360. Download it today to unlock a refreshed game-day experience that offers access to news and information, schedules, rosters, stats and behind-the-scenes videos, and allows fans to buy and manage game tickets and order concessions straight from their mobile device. The app is available in both the Apple Store (download) and Google Play (download). Add it today, access your game tickets and download them to your smartphone's wallet to make yourself game-day ready.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Utah Volleyball Returns Home to Make Big 12 Debut

Utah Volleyball returns to the Jon M. Huntsman Center this weekend, beginning its inaugural Big 12 conference slate by welcoming in the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Colorado Buffaloes. The Utes host Texas Tech on Thursday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. MT to kickoff Big 12 action. Utah returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 29, at 1 p.m. MT, hosting former Pac-12 rival Colorado.