OREM, Utah – Utah Valley University volleyball team hosts Utah Tech in the Old Hammer Rivalry on Oct. 20. The Wolverines will start a three-match road trip at Southern Utah on Oct. 22 before heading to Tarleton and Abilene Christian next week.
 
Utah Valley swept both matches last week with 3-1 victories against UT Arlington and Stephen F. Austin. Avery Shewell won TicketSmarter WAC Freshman of the Week after a 20-kill performance against SFA on Oct. 15. Kazna Tanuvasa had 29 kills last week for UVU in the victories. Caleigh Vagana led UVU in blocks last week with 15 block assists as the Wolverines averaged 3.63 blocks/set as a team.
 
Utah Tech went 2-0 last week after victories over Abilene Christian and Sam Houston. The Trailblazers enter 11-7 overall and 3-4 in WAC play. Whittnee Nihipali leads UTU with 183 kills and won TicketSmarter WAC Offensive Player of the Week for her performance last week. Taela Laufiso averages over eight assists a set for the Trailblazers. Utah Valley swept the earlier match and enters 6-0 against Utah Tech since 2006.
 
The Wolverines and Thunderbirds have not met since 2017. Southern Utah enters with a 4-12 record and 3-4 in WAC play. They beat Sam Houston on Oct. 15 in Huntsville. Makenzie Templeton leads SUU with 161 kills on the year, while Macy Short has 456 assists this year.
 
This week's matches will be aired on ESPN+, with live stats available for both matches. Tickets are still available for the Oct. 20 match against Utah Tech. The Wolverines will return home for the final homestand of the year on Nov. 3 against New Mexico State and Nov. 5 against UTRGV.