(St. George, Utah – Sept. 8, 2023) - A back-and-forth match went the way of visiting Fresno State on Friday afternoon as Utah Tech volleyball dropped a four-set battle to the Bulldogs at Burns Arena.

The Trailblazers (3-4) won the opening set, 25-21, before dropping the final three sets, 25-27, 21-25, 30-32 to the Bulldogs (3-3).

Led by a pair of Trailblazers with double-digit kills, Kennedi Knudsen led the club with 17 kills while Kate Hardy added 10 kills, three block assists, a dig and a service ace.

Sydney Reese posted a team-high four service aces while Marley Roe notched a team-leading 27 assists and freshman libero Mya Laufiso had a team-best 11 digs.

Taking a 16-15 lead in the early going of the opening set, a 3-0 run by Utah Tech extended the Trailblazers lead 19-15 after a kill by Hardy. A kill by Knudsen put UT ahead 23-19, the Blazers closed out the set with another kill from Knudsen for the four-set win.

The second set, which saw seven ties and four lead changes, saw the Blazers jump out to a 19-14 lead before the 'Dogs responded with a 7-0 run. UT responded with a 4-0 run for a 23-21 lead and after ties at 24 and 25, the Bulldogs closed out the set with back-to-back kills.

After the Bulldogs took the third set, 25-21, the Blazers looked to tie even up the sets at two apiece in the fourth set. With 19 ties and 11 lead changes in the set, the Trailblazers bounced back and saw ties at 19 through 30.

A kill by Reese tied the set at 30, the 'Dogs pulled out the marathon set with back-to-back kills by Ella Rud to secure the win for Fresno State.

The Trailblazers led the Bulldogs in kills (50-49) and service aces (10-6) with the 'Dogs leading in digs (54-49) and blocks (13-8).

Utah Tech wraps up the weekend hosting Fresno State (3-3) on Saturday at noon at Burns Arena.