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Show Com ing v o lleyb a 11 matches to test Thunderbird strength Volleyball matches today and Saturday at Southern Utah State College should help answer an-swer the question: are the Thunderbirds really that good? SUSC will host Ricks College today at 7 p.m. in War Memorial Fieldhouse. Saturday, Adams State, a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opponent, will be in town for a 7 p.m. contest. The following Tuesday, SUSC will travel to Provo to test Brigham Young University's junior varsity squad. "There's no denying that we are starting to come along," Joy Peterson, Thunderbird coach, says. "There are still some occasional lapses, but generally, we are playing well. I am particularly pleased with the way our new players are blending in with those who played here last year." A semi-regular starting lineup has emerged which includes three vets (juniors Lori Mott, Natalie Smith, and Chris Whetton), a junior college transfer (junior Lori McCurdy from Dixie College), and two freshmen fresh-men (Gloria Grover from San Juan High and Michelle Cottle from Woods Cross High). Peterson is quick to point out that no lineup is ever cast in concrete and that as conditions warrant, other players can easily break into the starting six. "There are several girls who have the ability to really help the squad. There is still some experimenting to do, before we really feel we have all the pieces fitting together the way they'll be most effective," ef-fective," Peterson says. "Ricks College has a competitive volleyball program most years; we don't have any particulars par-ticulars on them, but we are expecting good competition," Peterson indicates. Adams State playing in the early-season RMAC Invitational Tournament as did the Thunderbirds. The Indians, however, were in a different pool and did not meet SUSC. That game will count in the RMAC standings, and Peterson feels that "we cannot afford to lose any conference matches at home." |