Women's Volleyball | 8/24/2016 3:50:00 PM
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POCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho State volleyball team heads south this weekend for its first three matches of the 2016 season. The Bengals will travel to Salt Lake City to face Utah Aug. 26 at 7 p.m., followed by Butler and Gonzaga on Aug. 27 at 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. respectively as part of the 2016 Utah Classic, hosted by the University of Utah. All matches will be held at the John M. Huntsman Center.
BENGALS PREVIEW
The Idaho State Bengals return eight from last season's squad that finished 23-10 overall with a 13-3 mark in conference play and advanced to the Big Sky Conference championship match for the fourth-straight season.
Last season, the Bengals averaged 13.7 kills per set with a .233 hitting percentage in addition to 14.9 digs and 2.2 blocks per set. Idaho State returns two all-conference performers in senior setter
Hayley Farrer (First Team) and senior outside hitter
Bailey Bars (Second Team).
SCOUTING UTAH
The Utes return 12 letter winners and five starters from last season's squad that finished 10-21 overall with a 4-16 mark in Pac-12 conference play, good for 10th.
Last season, Utah averaged 12.34 kills per set with a .175 hitting percentage. Defensively, the Utes averaged 14.92 digs and 2.24 blocks per set.
Utah is led by Head Coach Beth Launiere who is in her 27th season with the Utes. During her tenure, Utah carries a 501-324 overall record.
This will be the 40th time in program history that the Bengals have played Utah, and ISU holds a 10-29 overall record against the Utes. In 2015, the Bengals fell at Utah in four sets, 3-1.
BUTLER
Butler finished the 2015 season with a 12-19 overall record including a 6-7 mark in conference play. The Bulldogs averaged 12.6 kills per set off a .209 hitting percentage as well as 14.9 digs per set and 2.5 blocks per set.
The Bulldogs are led by Head Coach Sharon Clark who begins her 16th season at the helm of the program.
Idaho State carries a 0-1 record against Butler and last faced the Bulldogs on Sept. 13, 2014, suffering a 3-1 loss.
GONZAGA
The Bulldogs return nine letter winners and four starters plus a libero from last season's squad that finished with a 16-15 overall record and a 7-11 mark in West Coast Conference Play, good for 7th.
In 2015, GU averaged 13.5 kills per set with a .251 hitting percentage, 13.93 digs per set and 2.47 blocks per set.
This will be the 11th time in program history and the first time in nearly 12 years that the Bengals have faced Gonzaga. ISU carries a 6-4 record against the WCC foe but lost 3-0 in the last meeting on Sept. 17, 2004.
The Bulldogs are led by Head Coach Diane Nelson who is in her first season with Gonzaga.
MEDIA
Live stats will be available for all matches, while a live stream will be available for Idaho State's match against Utah on Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. Links for live stats for the Butler and Gonzaga matches will be posted when they become available.
Live Stats vs. Utah: Click
here.
Live Stream vs. Utah: Click
here.
