Weber State University Athletics
Thursday, August 31
Logan, UT
7 PM
Weber State University
at
Utah State
Photo by: Robert Casey
GAME NOTES: Wildcats Travel to Logan, Host Two Marquee Opponents
8/30/2023 1:59:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
THE MATCHES
Thursday, August 31 | 7 PM at Utah State | Logan, UT
TV Stream: https://utahstateaggies.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary
Live Stats: https://weberstatesports.com/sidearmstats/wvball/media
Friday, September 1 | 5 PM vs Loyola Marymount | Swenson Gym
TV Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: https://weberstatesports.com/sidearmstats/wvball/media
Tickets: https://weber.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventList?groupCode=VB&linkID=weber-multi&shopperContext=&caller=&appCode=
Friday, September 2 | 2 PM vs UNLV | Swenson Gym
TV Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: https://weberstatesports.com/sidearmstats/wvball/media
Tickets: https://weber.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventList?groupCode=VB&linkID=weber-multi&shopperContext=&caller=&appCode=
Following an opening weekend in which the Weber State Wildcats went 2-1, the 'Cats enter one of their most competitive weeks of the entire year – including two marquee matchups against non-conference foes.
THE MATCHES
• After going 2-1 in its opening weekend, Weber State volleyball enters one of its most competitive weeks of the year with a match at Utah State, and will then host Loyola Marymount and UNLV in consecutive days.
• Weber State has won three of the last four matches against Utah State including a five-set thriller in Logan in 2021. Last season's match also went to five sets.
• The Wildcats will be playing LMU for just the third time in school history. Lions head coach Trent Kersten visited Ogden last season as the head coach of the San Jose Spartans. WSU went on to win the match 3-1.
• UNLV will make its first trip to Ogden since 2019 when the Wildcats beat the Rebels. WSU made a trip to Las Vegas last year and feel to UNLV who concluded the 2022 season with a 26-5 record and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.
QUICK HITS
• For the fourth consecutive season, Weber State finished in at least second place in the Big Sky Conference and made its fourth postseason appearance in a row. The Wildcats return all-conference performers Dani Richins and Makayla Sorensen from last season's squad.
• Dani Richins is Weber State's lone two-time All-American. She was the recipient of the 2021 Big Sky Conference MVP award, and is a four-time First Team All-Big Sky performer.
• Makayla Sorensen enters her senior year on pace to become the school's all-time leader in digs. Sorensen has been a major reason why the Wildcats held opponents to a low hitting percentages in 2022 (.165).
• The 2022 Wildcat defense led the Big Sky Conference in opponent hitting percentage (.165), digging (16.22/set), blocking (2.71/set) and opponent service aces (1.23/set)
RICHINS RECORD WATCH
• Dani Richins currently has 169 career service aces and is just five away from setting Weber State's all-time record for most aces in a career.
• Following a terrific opening weekend which included a 20-kill performance against St. Mary's, Richins surpassed former teammate Rylin Adams for the third most kills in Weber State history and she's just 10 kills away from reaching the 1,500-kill plateau.
DOMINANT DEFENSE
• The Wildcat block picked up right where it left off last season. With 2.38 blocks per set through the opening weekend, Weber State leads the Big Sky Conference in blocking. At 2.71 blocks per set in 2022, the Wildcat front line ranked ninth best in the country in blocking last season.
• The 2022 Wildcats ranked 17th in the nation for opponent hitting percentage, and held their foes to a paltry .165.
• Weber State's back line was impressive last season and averaged 16.22 digs per set - the most in the Big Sky Conference and 34th in the country.
NEW FACES
• Weber State's recruiting class was heavy on pin hitting, as the Wildcats brought in two new outside hitters in Ioana Asiata and Ali Wiest, as well as Rylee Parkinson who plays opposite.
• The 'Cats also brought in two transfers. Stacia Barker, a middle blocker from Evanston, WY, joins the team following a redshirt season at Montana State. Outside hitter Mia Peterson, a native of Pleasant Grove, UT, comes to Ogden following a pair of seasons at New Mexico State.
Thursday, August 31 | 7 PM at Utah State | Logan, UT
TV Stream: https://utahstateaggies.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary
Live Stats: https://weberstatesports.com/sidearmstats/wvball/media
Friday, September 1 | 5 PM vs Loyola Marymount | Swenson Gym
TV Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: https://weberstatesports.com/sidearmstats/wvball/media
Tickets: https://weber.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventList?groupCode=VB&linkID=weber-multi&shopperContext=&caller=&appCode=
Friday, September 2 | 2 PM vs UNLV | Swenson Gym
TV Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: https://weberstatesports.com/sidearmstats/wvball/media
Tickets: https://weber.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventList?groupCode=VB&linkID=weber-multi&shopperContext=&caller=&appCode=
Following an opening weekend in which the Weber State Wildcats went 2-1, the 'Cats enter one of their most competitive weeks of the entire year – including two marquee matchups against non-conference foes.
THE MATCHES
• After going 2-1 in its opening weekend, Weber State volleyball enters one of its most competitive weeks of the year with a match at Utah State, and will then host Loyola Marymount and UNLV in consecutive days.
• Weber State has won three of the last four matches against Utah State including a five-set thriller in Logan in 2021. Last season's match also went to five sets.
• The Wildcats will be playing LMU for just the third time in school history. Lions head coach Trent Kersten visited Ogden last season as the head coach of the San Jose Spartans. WSU went on to win the match 3-1.
• UNLV will make its first trip to Ogden since 2019 when the Wildcats beat the Rebels. WSU made a trip to Las Vegas last year and feel to UNLV who concluded the 2022 season with a 26-5 record and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.
QUICK HITS
• For the fourth consecutive season, Weber State finished in at least second place in the Big Sky Conference and made its fourth postseason appearance in a row. The Wildcats return all-conference performers Dani Richins and Makayla Sorensen from last season's squad.
• Dani Richins is Weber State's lone two-time All-American. She was the recipient of the 2021 Big Sky Conference MVP award, and is a four-time First Team All-Big Sky performer.
• Makayla Sorensen enters her senior year on pace to become the school's all-time leader in digs. Sorensen has been a major reason why the Wildcats held opponents to a low hitting percentages in 2022 (.165).
• The 2022 Wildcat defense led the Big Sky Conference in opponent hitting percentage (.165), digging (16.22/set), blocking (2.71/set) and opponent service aces (1.23/set)
RICHINS RECORD WATCH
• Dani Richins currently has 169 career service aces and is just five away from setting Weber State's all-time record for most aces in a career.
• Following a terrific opening weekend which included a 20-kill performance against St. Mary's, Richins surpassed former teammate Rylin Adams for the third most kills in Weber State history and she's just 10 kills away from reaching the 1,500-kill plateau.
DOMINANT DEFENSE
• The Wildcat block picked up right where it left off last season. With 2.38 blocks per set through the opening weekend, Weber State leads the Big Sky Conference in blocking. At 2.71 blocks per set in 2022, the Wildcat front line ranked ninth best in the country in blocking last season.
• The 2022 Wildcats ranked 17th in the nation for opponent hitting percentage, and held their foes to a paltry .165.
• Weber State's back line was impressive last season and averaged 16.22 digs per set - the most in the Big Sky Conference and 34th in the country.
NEW FACES
• Weber State's recruiting class was heavy on pin hitting, as the Wildcats brought in two new outside hitters in Ioana Asiata and Ali Wiest, as well as Rylee Parkinson who plays opposite.
• The 'Cats also brought in two transfers. Stacia Barker, a middle blocker from Evanston, WY, joins the team following a redshirt season at Montana State. Outside hitter Mia Peterson, a native of Pleasant Grove, UT, comes to Ogden following a pair of seasons at New Mexico State.
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OPP
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
L
/ Women's Volleyball
L/OH
/ Women's Volleyball
Weber State Volleyball In-Depth | Episode 18: Kaylie Ray
Wednesday, October 08
Weber State Volleyball In-Depth | Episode 17: Jayda Tupea
Tuesday, October 07
Weber State vs. Idaho State | 10-3-25
Friday, October 03
Highlights vs. SEMO
Thursday, September 18