Boise State hosts Utah State in key MW match

MOUNTAIN WEST PLAY, WEEK FIVE

Tuesday, Oct. 19

7 p.m. | Utah State at Boise State | Live Scoring | MW Network
Parking in the Albertsons Stadium west lot next to Bronco Gym

THIS WEEK IN BRONCO VOLLEYBALL
WHAT'S HAPPENING: Boise State (15-5, 4-4 MW) closes a three-match homestand Tuesday night when they host Utah State (14-6, 6-2 MW) at 7 p.m. (Mountain) in Bronco Gym. The Aggies enter the match in second place in the Mountain West standings, while the Broncos are currently tied for sixth.

SCOUTING BOISE STATE: The Broncos enter the week coming off a home split falling to San Diego State 3-0 before regrouping to defeat UNLV in five.

Through 20 matches, Boise State is led by Lauren Ohlinger who has tallied league-highs for kills (275), service aces (39) and points (331.5). The junior outside hitter is ranked seventh nationally for total service aces, 14th for service aces per set (.53) and 33rd in total points.

Makayla Hansen follows with 153 kills and 70 blocks. Kayly Pau is third with 112 kills and 36 blocks, while Alyssa Wissinger is fourth with 107 kills and 82 blocks (2nd MW).

As a team, Boise State hits .264 percent (1st MW / 27th NCAA) and holds opponents to .185 percent (3rd MW). The Broncos average 12.78 kills per set (6th MW), 2.77 blocks (1st MW / 8th NCAA), 1.96 service aces (2nd MW / 12th NCAA) and 13.12 digs (6th MW). Boise State leads the MW and is fourth nationally for total blocks (205.0) and is seventh in total service aces (145).

SCOUTING UTAH STATE: The Aggies are 14-6 overall and 6-2 in conference play, good for second place. They are coming off a pair of home victories last week beating UNLV 3-2 and San Diego State 3-0. Utah State is powered by a balance offense led by Tatum Stall with 224 kills, Kennedi Boyd with 168 and Kylee Stokes with 163. As a team, USU hits .244 percent (3rd MW) while their opponents have hit .191 (5th MW). The Aggies were picked to place ninth in the 2021 Mountain West race.

THE UTAH STATE SERIES: Boise State leads the all-time series by a 28-18 margin and leads the MW series 11-4. The Broncos won both meetings last spring in Boise, they also lead the series played in Boise by a 16-6 advantage all time.

FOLLOW THE ACTION: If you cannot attend, the best way to follow the action is by going to the volleyball schedule on BroncoSports.com and clicking on the appropriate "Live Scoring" and/or "Live Stream" links for the particular match you want to follow. For home and Mountain West contests the live stream is free of charge courtesy of the Mountain West Network.

ADMISSION: The price for attending the matches remains the same as in past years: $6 for adults, $4 for juniors (high school age and younger) and seniors 62 or older. Boise State students with valid ID cards and children two and under get in for free.

In addition, for the first time Boise State will be selling match tickets in advance for all volleyball home contests in 2021. Fans can purchase individual match tickets at the Boise State Ticket Office on the west side of Albertsons Stadium or via the internet at BroncoSports.com.

Seating is limited with the east side bleachers closed for the season due to COVID safety protocols that are in place for the 2021 campaign. So purchase your tickets early.

BRONCO SPORTS PASS: Once again Boise State will be offering the Bronco Sports Pass this year for $75, which will grant admission to all home regular season events during the 2021-22 season for: women's basketball, gymnastics, soccer, softball, volleyball and track & field. Note: The Bronco Sports Pass does not include any conference tournaments or postseason national tournaments hosted by Boise State.

Fans can purchase the Bronco Sports Pass at the Boise State Ticket Office on the west side of Albertsons Stadium or via the internet at BroncoSports.com.

NOTES: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT BRONCO VOLLEYBALL
WELCOME TO THE BLOCK PARTY: The Broncos' frontline has recorded double-digit team blocks in 13 of 20 contests to date with a high of 18 against San Jose State (Sept. 30), tied for 12th all-time and tied for third during the rally scoring era (RSE).

THE BLUE WALL NATIONALLY RANKED: The Broncos lead the Mountain West and are ranked fourth nationally in blocking with 205 blocks. The Wall also leads the MW and is eighth in the NCAA for blocks per set at 2.77.

TEAM DEPTH / CHANGING LINEUP: Boise State has one of its strongest teams in program history and has had the luxury to start 13 of its 17 student-athletes at least once this season. Through 18 contests the Broncos have featured seven different lineups. The most used lineup to date has been Ohlinger, Wissinger, Boss, Casillas, O'Harra and Hansen, this group has started together seven times.

BOSS AT SETTER: Senior Danielle Boss returned at setter where she has started the previous three campaigns. She entered the season ranked ninth all-time and fifth in the rally scoring era (RSE) for career assists at Boise State with 2,151. She has opened the season with 637 to move into seventh place overall and fourth in RSE with 2,788.

DONAHUE LOOKING FOR BLOCKS RECORD: Jessica Donahue enters the season with a chance to break the school record for career blocks. She currently stands at 414 to move into sixth place all-time, she needs to reach 493 for the record. The 414 blocks ties her for first during the rally scoring era.

WISSINGER NATIONALLY RANKED FOR BLOCKS: Alyssa Wissinger is ranked 36th nationally in blocks per set at 1.30.

BOSS NATIONALLY RANKED FOR ASSISTS: Dani Boss is ranked 35th nationally for assists per set at 10.44, that leads the MW.

OHLINGER NATIONALLY RANKED: Lauren Ohlinger is ranked seventh in the NCAA for total service aces (39), 14th nationally for service aces per set (0.53) and 33rd for total points (331.5).

Players Mentioned

Danielle Boss

Jessica Donahue

Makayla Hansen

Lauren Ohlinger

Kayly Pau

Alyssa Wissinger

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