Boise State Hosts Utah State for Two Match Series

Utah State (0-2) at Boise State (2-0)
Boise, Idaho (Bronco Gym)

MATCH 3
DATE: Friday, Feb. 12
TIME: 6 p.m. MT
FOLLOW THE ACTION: Live Stream (MW Network) | Live Scoring

MATCH 4
DATE: Saturday, Feb. 13
TIME: 2 p.m. MT
FOLLOW THE ACTION: Live Stream (MW Network) | Live Scoring

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WHAT'S NEXT: After opening the season last week with a road sweep at San Jose State, Boise State (2-0) is home for a four-match homestand beginning with two this week against Utah State (0-2) Friday and Saturday. The Broncos and Aggies will face off at 6 p.m. Friday in Bronco Gym, followed by the rematch at 2 p.m. on Saturday. If the Broncos can take both contests from USU it will give coach Garus his 200th win at Boise State.

FOLLOW THE ACTION: COVID-19 safety measures are in place at Boise State which means no fans will be allowed to attend this week's matches versus Utah State. The only way to follow this week's 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. The live stream is free of charge courtesy of the Mountain West Network.

ABBREVIATED SCHEDULE FORMAT: As a result of the pandemic, the Mountain West Conference has moved to a conference only 16-match schedule this spring. The format has teams playing the same opponent twice during the first six weeks, then playing the remaining four MW schools once each in the final three weeks ending April 3. As a result, the Broncos face Utah State twice this week, followed by a two-match home series versus Wyoming Feb. 19-20.

SCOUTING UTAH STATE: The Aggies opened the season last weekend dropping a pair of home matches to Wyoming (3-2 and 3-0). Utah State went 2-28 overall and 2-16 in league during the 2019 campaign. They are in their first year under the leadership of head coach Rob Neilson. The Aggies return three starters, as well as six letterwinners from last season. In addition, they have added six newcomers to the roster.

SCOUTING BOISE STATE: Boise State opened the 2021 spring campaign with a road sweep at San Jose State last week winning both contests 3-1. The Broncos went 18-12 overall in 2019 and 10-8 in conference to place fourth, they also advanced to the NIVC. Boise State is in its 12th season under head coach Shawn Garus who has gone 198-144 at the helm of the program, he is 306-263 overall in his career. The Blue and Orange return five starters and the libero, as well as 11 members of the 2019 squad. In addition to the 11 returners, Boise State added four recruits to this year's team.

MW PRESEASON POLL: The Mountain West Preseason Coaches Poll projected Boise State to place fourth and Utah State was selected 11th.

THE BOISE STATE Vs. UTAH STATE SERIES: This rivalry dates back to the Western Athletic Conference where the two programs were once members. They have met 44 times prior to this weekend with Boise State holding a 26-18 advantage in the series all-time — including an 14-6 mark at Boise — and a 18-17 lead in league encounters. The Broncos won the lone meeting in 2019 3-0 at Logan.

SHAWN GARUS LOOKING FOR 200TH WIN: Boise State head coach Shawn Garus is looking for his 200th victory at the helm of the Broncos. Garus, who is in his 12th season with the program, needs just two wins to reach the milestone as he currently stands at 198-144, his career record stands at 306-263 in 20 years. Garus ranks second in total wins in program history, out of 10 coaches all-time. At Boise State, he has recorded nine winning seasons overall, including an active streak of six straight. He has three seasons (2010, 2015, 2016) with 20-plus wins.

WEEK ONE RECAP: Boise State opened the series falling behind one set to San Jose State in the opener before rallying to dominate the final three periods to take the win. In the second meeting with the Spartans, the Broncos came out strong taking the first two sets. Up 2-0, Boise State dropped a tough set three 25-21. Then when it looked like the fourth was all Broncos up 24-15, SJSU rallied with a 8-0 run to close within 24-23. Up one,Donahue came through for the blue and orange with a kill down the middle to end it handing Boise State the win and weekend sweep.

WEEK ONE LEADERS: Lauren Ohlinger led the Broncos in both contests versus San Jose State tallying team-highs for kills with 15 in each. She finished the weekend with 30 kills, two service aces, 21 digs and four blocks. Jessica Donahue hit a team-best .432 for 22 kills with 13 blocks on the weekend. Kayly Pau tallied 21 kills and five blocks.

DEBUT PERFORMANCES: Four Broncos saw their first action in the season opening series Feb. 4-5 at San Jose State. Chey Jones (7 kills, 2 digs, 5 blocks) started both contests, Annie Kaminski (13 kills, 1 assist, 1 dig, 6 blocks) started in one of two played, while Kayly Pau (21 kills, 2 digs, 5 blocks) and Jolei Akima (5 assists, 16 digs) played in both coming in off the bench.

BRONCOS LOOKING FOR DEBUT PERFORMANCES: Boise State has two student-athletes who could possibly make their career debuts this week versus Utah State. The duo includes Elena Howe (6-2, rightside hitter) and Ashley Hayden (5-10, setter).

BOSS RANKED EIGHTH FOR ASSISTS: Danielle Boss enters the season ranked eighth during the rally scoring era (2001 to present) at Boise State for career assists with 1,704, she had 1,113 as a sophomore in 2019.

DONAHUE ANCHORS THE BLUE WALL: Jessica Donahue starts the season ranked fourth during the rally scoring era (2001 to present) at Boise State for career blocks with 311. The junior tallied 163 in 2019, second most all-time and six short of tying the school record. The 163 blocks also led the MW and was ranked 11th nationally.

OHLINGER NAMED PRESEASON ALL-MW: Boise State sophomore Lauren Ohlinger was named to the Preseason All-Mountain West Team. She was one of eight student-athletes and only Bronco selected to the team by the league's coaches. The native of Phoenix, Ariz., was the 2019 MW Freshman of the Year after leading Boise State in kills with 329 and points with 395.0 — ranked ninth and 10th, respectively, in the league — and averaged a team-high 2.96 kills per set — 10th in the MW.

BOISE STATE RETURNS THREE POSTSEASON HONOREES: The Broncos return three of their four 2019 postseason MW honorees this spring. Back with the Broncos are Jessica Donahue who was All-MW, Danielle Boss received All-MW Honorable Mention accolades, while Ohlinger was the MW Freshman of the Year. The lone honoree not back after graduating last May is Janell Walley who was All-MW three-times.

BOISE STATE IN SEASON OPENERS: After last week's victory at San Jose State, Boise State is 22-20 in season openers since the 1979 campaign. The Broncos lost the 2019 opener at No. 9 BYU (3-0) to snap a four match win streak in openers. They are 9-5 all-time when opening at home and 13-15 all-time when opening on the road (away and neutral). The Broncos are 5-7 in openers under head coach Shawn Garus.

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Players Mentioned

Jolei Akima

Danielle Boss

Chey Day

Jessica Donahue

Ashley Hayden

Elena Howe

Annie Kaminski

Lauren Ohlinger

Kayly Pau

Janell Walley