TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (September 19, 2018) - The No. 5 Salt Lake Community College volleyball program had a successful preseason, defeating a number of ranked teams on the way to a record of 17-1. 

With that success in mind, the Bruins will have to prepare for the stakes of every match to rise as they head out on the road to begin Scenic West Athletic Conference play this week. Salt Lake will travel to play at in-state rival USU Eastern Friday, along with Colorado Northwestern Saturday. Neither is nationally-ranked but both programs offer the challenge of being a league team that is invested in playing well.

Bruins coach Sue Dulaney said the Scenic West season always brings considerable challenge, but even more so this season.

"We played 17 matches in preseason and had the toughest strength of schedule in our conference," she said. "Hopefully the lessons learned and battles we have encountered have prepared us well.  Our conference is the strongest I have seen it in 11 years so we will need it."

Friday's league opener against USU Eastern will provide a good start to the conference schedule. The Eagles sit at 9-7 overall, having gone 2-2 in the same Vegas tournament the Bruins played in last weekend. Saturday's matchup looks on paper to lean strongly towards Salt Lake, with Colorado Northwestern sitting at 2-16 on the season.

To add credibility to Dulaney's comments, the Scenic West has three of the nation's top-five programs in its membership. Southern Idaho sits at No. 3, while Snow College sits at No. 4. Salt Lake will play Snow in the league home-opener on Friday, Sept. 28.

As for this weekend, the Bruins are focused on maintaining their focus on skill-development and energy.

"The girls on our team just need to know their role and execute, no one has to be amazing," Dulaney said.  "If each player does what they are suppose to, we will be amazing together."