Oct. 24, 2007

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State's women's volleyball team will play its second straight in-state match as it hosts Utah Valley on Thursday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

Utah State has won three straight matches and is 12-10 on the season after recording a five-game win at Weber State Tuesday night. USU is led by senior opposite side hitter Amanda Nielson who is the reigning Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week. Nielson has recorded 24 or more kills in each of her last three matches, including a season-high 31 against the Wildcats.

On the season, Nielson is averaging 5.94 points, 4.97 kills, 2.49 digs, 0.97 blocks and 0.46 service aces per game, while junior outside hitter Melissa Osterloh is averaging 3.68 points, 3.10 kills, 2.85 digs and 0.61 blocks per game. As a team, Utah State is hitting .170 on the season as compared to a .183 hitting percentage for its opponents. Since starting the season with a 2-6 record, USU has won 10 of its last 14 matches.

Utah Valley is 16-7 on the season following a three-game loss to Utah in its last match. The Wolverines, who are 8-2 on the road this year, are led by senior middle blocker Jessica Endres who is hitting .351 and averaging 3.86 kills and 1.17 blocks per game. As a team, Utah Valley is hitting .229 on the season as compared to a .180 hitting percentage for its opponents. Utah Valley returns two starters and six letterwinners from last year's team that went 17-11 on the season. The Wolverines enter the match against USU having won 11 of its last 13 contests.

Utah State is 2-0 all-time against Utah Valley with a three-game win in Logan during the 2003 season and a four-game win in Orem in 2005.

Following its match against Utah Valley, Utah State will return to WAC play and host Fresno State on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.