Oct. 21, 2009

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State's women's volleyball team will continue Western Athletic Conference play on Thursday, Oct. 22 when it plays at Boise State at 7 p.m.

Utah State is 12-9 on the season and 3-5 in WAC play following a five-set loss at home to Idaho Monday night. USU is led by sophomore outside hitter Liz McArthur who is hitting .185 and averaging 3.74 kills, 1.53 digs and 0.53 blocks per set, while sophomore opposite side hitter Emily Kortsen is hitting .239 and averaging 2.16 kills, 2.39 digs and 0.60 blocks per set. Junior middle blocker Katie Astle is also playing well for USU as she is hitting .333 and averaging 1.52 kills and 0.86 blocks per set. As a team, Utah State is hitting .210 on the season as compared to a .185 hitting percentage for its opponents.

Boise State is 2-18 on the season and 2-6 in WAC play following road losses at Nevada (3-1) and Fresno State (3-2) last weekend. The Broncos, who are 1-6 at home on the season, are led by junior middle blocker Sadie Maughan who is hitting .252 and averaging 2.54 kills and 1.12 blocks per set. As a team, BSU is hitting .155 on the season as compared to a .240 hitting percentage for its opponents. The Broncos return three starters and eight letterwinners from last year's team that went 9-19 overall and finished in seventh-place in the WAC with a 5-11 league mark. Shawn Garus is in his first season as BSU's head coach.

Utah State is 14-16 all-time against Boise State, which includes a 5-7 record on the road. USU defeated the Broncos earlier this year in Logan in five sets and has won 13 of the last 14 matches played in the series, including eight of the last nine since joining the WAC.

Following its match at Boise State, Utah State will play at Idaho (9-11, 5-3) on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. (MT).