After sweeping the UNLV Rebels and the San Diego State Aztecs last weekend, the University of Utah?s volleyball team is looking to make a move to the top of the MWC rankings.
However, the team will have one obstacle before it can compete against top conference contenders BYU and Colorado State.
Big Sky Conference member Weber State?the U’s last non MWC opponent of the year?will come to play tonight at Crimson Court.
Weber State comes in with an overall record of 10-6 and is rolling on a five-match winning streak.
But the Wildcats are going into the match as a heavy underdog and will need to play an amazing match to topple the Utes at home, where they are unbeaten on the year.
Weber State does not have the team-wide array of talent that the Utes have, however, it does have a few players that will challenge the Utes on offense and defense.
Stephanie Metcalf, Natasha Widdison and Stephanie Kropushek must come up big for Weber to put up a fight.
Metcalf is leading the team in kills per game, with 3.16, and an attack percentage of .311. She is also contributing on defense, with 2.54 digs per game.
Widdison makes her presence felt at the net, as she is leading the team with 1.68 blocks per game and adds 3.00 kills per game.
Kropushek has recorded 2.71 digs per game thus far. Offensively, she is third on the team with 2.54 kills per game.
Meanwhile, Holly Montano leads the team with 2.88 digs per game and is averaging 1.77 kills per game.
The setting for the Wildcats has not been very good, as Laura Robinson and Lacey Rice are only combining for 11.38 assists per game.
The rest of the team has not played very well. Michelle Smith, Kris Hollingsworth and Becky Montague have not put up the numbers that Weber needs to match Utah?s talent.
The U’s all-around play could overwhelm the Wildcats, as Sylva Strzinkov, McKelle Stilson, Kim Turner, Alisa Geddes and Adrianne Bradley Drake have the talent edge on any of Weber?s middle blockers or outside hitters.
Strzinkov has been on a tear, as she was awarded the Mountain West Conference Player of the Week award after totaling 12 kills and hitting .400 vs. UNLV, and 12 kills and 14 digs vs. SDSU?including 5 block assists and a .455 percentage?the following night.
The setting situation has also improved since coach Beth Launiere went with sophomore Jackie Morrill as the primary athlete at that position.
?Jackie provides some much needed experience for us. Going with two freshman setters was tough for us,? Launiere said.