Sept. 10, 2009
2009 WOLVERINE INVITATIONAL NOTES
OREM, Utah - For the second time in as many weeks the Utah Valley University volleyball team welcomes a ranked team when it hosts No. 15 USC (6-1) and Idaho State (4-3) in the 2009 Wolverine Invitational which gets underway Friday.
"We've got a lot of hard work to do to be able to compete," UVU volleyball coach Sam Atoa said. "I think with our hard work and being at home gives us a chance to be competitive."
The Wolverines (4-2) beat a ranked team in then No. 17 Utah, 3-1, last week in Orem and Atoa hopes that momentum carries over to the two matches the Wolverines will play with USC.
"(The win over Utah) gives them some confidence for this week to play even harder," Atoa said. "You never know. The games still have to be played regardless of where a team in ranked."
Since losing to Michigan State, 3-2, in the season opener, the Trojans have reeled off 3-0 victories over North Carolina, Albany, Florida Gulf Coast, No. 21 Pepperdine, Northern Arizona and No. 20 UC Irvine.
The first-ever meeting between the two schools is set for Friday at 7 p.m. at the Shurian Family Activity Center. They will meet again Saturday at 1 p.m.
Utah Valley is 4-3 all-time against Idaho State. The two teams spilt matches last year. Prior to their loss to ISU last October, the Wolverines had won four straight against the Bengals. They will meet Saturday night at 7 p.m.
"Idaho State will come in and play hard," Atoa said. "They've given us some problems."
The Bengals were tabbed to finish eighth in the Big Sky. So far this season ISU has victories over South Dakota State, Rutgers, Wyoming and Charleston Southern.
Idaho State was swept by Utah State Wednesday night. The Wolverines beat Utah State, 3-1, two weeks ago at the Weber State Invitational.
PROMOTIONS
FRIDAY - MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT VOLLEYBALL - USC VS. UVU, 7 p.m.
Military with Military ID will receive FREE admission for themselves and one guest.
SATURDAY - 3-For-1: VOLLEYBALL - SOCCER - VOLLEYBALL
Your ticket from UVU's match with USC at 1 p.m. will get you into UVU's soccer game with Southern Utah at 3 p.m. for FREE, and your ticket from the soccer game will get you into volleyball against Idaho St. at 7 p.m. for FREE.
