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CEDAR CITY, Utah -- Beginning the second half of their Summit League schedule, the IUPUI volleyball team will look to separate themselves from a crowded pack when they travel to matches against Southern Utah and UMKC on Thursday and Saturday, respectively. The Jaguars will play the Thunderbirds at 9 p.m. ET, while their match against the Kangaroos will begin at 8 p.m. ET.
IUPUI (13-6, 5-4 Summit) is currently tied for third with three other schools (IPFW, Oral Roberts, South Dakota State) in the race for one of four Summit League Tournament berths. The Jaguars sit one game behind 6-3 Oakland and are one game ahead of seventh-place Western Illinois (4-5) with nine conference matches remaining.
Even though the Jaguars are only halfway through their conference schedule, Head Coach Steve Payne knows that there is no time for IUPUI to relax. "There are no easy matches in the conference this year," Payne said. "Maybe in the past you could circle a match or two where your team could recover, but if you're not ready to play every night in The Summit, you can be beat, and with the standings being so close, one defeat can set you back."
The Jaguars defeated Southern Utah (5-13, 3-6 Summit) in the Thunderbirds' visit to The Jungle in September, winning in four close sets. The T-Birds have been a tough opponent at The Centrum, going 2-3 at home, with both victories coming against Summit League competition (IPFW, UMKC).
The trip to Cedar City will be the first for the Jags, as the Southern Utah volleyball program re-started after a 20-year break in 2009.
After taking a day to fly from Las Vegas to Kansas City, Mo., IUPUI will complete their Alphabet Series against UMKC (7-12, 3-6 Summit). After struggling in the opening five matches of conference play, the Kangaroos have gone on strong lately, picking up wins in three of their last four matches, including victories against South Dakota State and Oral Roberts.
In September, IUPUI held on for a four-set win over UMKC, 25-18, 25-19, 19-25, 25-21.
Both matches will be available via live stats by clicking on the above links.
