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Show Championship in T-Bird's sight CEDAR CITY -This is the week that the Southern Utah State College volleyball team can stake its claim to the championship of the western division of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. To guarantee that title, however, the Thun-derbird Thun-derbird women will have to beat a pair of spunky opponents on the road. SUSC tests Mesa College Friday at 3 p.m. in Grand Junction, Colo. Saturday, the 'Birds move over to Gunnison, Colo, to tangle with Western State in a 5 p.m. battle. In addition to the two key western division contests, SUSC will play nonconference matches against Regis College at 5 p.m. Friday in Grand Junction and at 3 p.m. Saturday in Gunnison. Regis is a member of the eastern division of the RMAC and is a probable opponent for SUSC in the November 5 conference con-ference championship showdown between eastern and western division winners, should the T-Birds nab victories this week. Actually, the 'Birds can clinch the title Friday with a victory over Mesa. That would mean that all other division schools have at least two defeats, while Southern Utah had no losses with one game left to play. "We are also eager to meet Regis a couple of times to see how we match up with them," Joy Peterson, SUSC coach says. Last year, the T-Birds defeated Regis for the championship cham-pionship of NAIA District Seven and a chance to move on into national competition. "Mesa can give a team fits," Peterson points out. "They do an awfully good job of keeping the ball alive. Western State has a bunch of talented young players. I think they were a little 'psyched out' when they came over here earlier in the year; they should be much more difficult to beat over there." Southern Utah is going with a quicker attack in recent games and finding success, according to Peterson. The receiving of serves has improved, and "we are picking up much better than we were earlier," the coach smiles. The blocking has been solid, and the plan is to continue to work on that aspect of the game, according ac-cording to the coach. SUSC has an overall record of 15-10. Against four-year competition in non-tournament action, the 'Birds are 8-3, and the team's western division record is 6-0. |