Snow College Athletics

The Snow College women's volleyball team opened Scenic West Athletic Conference play over the weekend, splitting a two-match series against No. 4 Salt Lake Community College. The Badgers fell 3-1 Friday before responding with a 3-1 victory Saturday. With the split, Snow College moved to 1-1 in SWAC play and 11-6 overall and moved up one spot to No. 13 in the latest NJCAA Division I poll.

Friday, the Badgers opened the match with a 25-23 win in the first set. Snow College trailed for most of the set before falling behind 22-18. The Badgers then earned the next seven of eight points to complete the comeback and claim the opening set, 25-23.

The Bruins responded in the second set, despite Snow College taking an early 11-4 lead. SLCC battled back to tie the set at 12-12 before steadily building its lead and securing a 25-20 victory.

The third set remained close early, with the lead changing several times. Snow College held leads at 4-3, 8-7 and 11-10 before the Badgers became stuck at 11 while the Bruins continued to add points. Snow College eventually tied the set at 15-15, but SLCC regained control and secured another 25-20 victory.

The fourth set was also closely contested early. The Bruins eventually built a 19-15 lead, but the Badgers continued to battle and cut the deficit to 24-22. SLCC secured the final point to take the set 25-22 and win the match 3-1.

Snow College recorded 45 kills, 54 digs and six blocks in the match. Lily Grant led the Badgers with 35 assists, while Aleah McDaniel added 13 kills, and Emily Kenison recorded 11 kills

The Badgers responded Saturday with a 3-1 victory over the Bruins. After falling 25-18 in the opening set, Snow College won the next three sets, 27-25, 25-23 and 28-26.

SLCC controlled the opening set early, building a 6-3 advantage before Snow College battled back to within one. The Bruins regained control and pulled ahead 12-6 before taking the set 25-18.

The Badgers responded in the second set as the score remained close throughout. The Bruins held a late lead, but Snow College answered with a strong finish to take a 26-25 advantage. Kenison recorded a pair of key blocks during the set as the Badgers battled to a 27-25 victory.

The third set saw several momentum swings, with Snow College taking a 19-17 advantage before SLCC responded with a 4-0 run to take the lead. The Badgers battled back to tie the set at 21-21 and went on to win 25-23. 

The Badgers carried the momentum into the fourth set, but SLCC continued to challenge Snow College throughout. The Bruins held a 24-22 lead, but Snow College responded with three straight points to take a 25-24 advantage. After SLCC tied the set at 25-25, the Badgers scored the next three of the final four points to complete the comeback and secure the 28-26 set victory and 3-1 match win.

The Badgers recorded 43 kills, 76 digs and 11 blocks in the match. Kenison and Marli Vaea each finished the match with five blocks. Vaea also recorded 11 kills, while Kenison added nine kills to aid in the victory..

McDaniel led the Badgers over the two-match series with six aces, while Britani Stone led Snow College defensively with 37 digs, recording 18 Friday and 19 Saturday.

The Badgers continue SWAC play Friday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 26 at 12 p.m. in Rangely, Colorado, where they will face Colorado Northwestern Community College. For video streaming and live stats information, visit snowbadgers.com.