TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (September 4, 2019) - So far in the 2019 season, the Salt Lake Community College volleyball team has risen to the challenge and been able to accomplish what it needed to in the right moments.

After all, the Bruins are 8-0 and have defeated nationally-acclaimed opponents in a preseason that has garnered attention from around the NJCAA. The team was also recognized with a No. 9 national ranking, making them the second-highest ranked team in the Scenic West Athletic Conference. One of SLCC's primary goals this week is to extend momentum, especially as the Bruins will face some of the nation's top programs in a preseason tournament hosted by the College of Southern Idaho this upcoming weekend. Over two days, Salt Lake will play multiple matches against Miami-Dade College and other regional opponents.

SLCC coach Sue Dulaney said the team played well in their home tournament, giving them confidence going forward.

"We had a few injuries over the weekend and the team pulled together to fill the holes," she said. "I'm extremely proud of how this team has been able to adapt under fire."

The Bruins were successful in sweeping action in their own home-hosted tournament last weekend, winning all four matches and holding a set advantage of 12-2 in four matches of the "Crystal 'Inn'vitational)". Now SLCC will face five opponents who have had their successes in recent years. The team will open the week with a Wednesday match against MSU West Plains at home, followed up by the aforementioned Southern Idaho tourney on Friday and Saturday.

While Laramie County will open the weekend's schedule for Salt Lake, a matchup Friday evening against Miami-Dade looms large for the Bruins. In their last matchup in Salt Lake in 2017, the then-No. 5 Bruins lost to then-No. 1 Miami-Dade, who went on to win the national championship. This weekend will serve as the first time over consecutive weekends that the two teams will play. Miami-Dade is 3-1 overall with a loss to Florida Southwestern Community College sitting as their only blip to this point.

Besides Miami-Dade, Salt Lake will also play against Treasure Valley Community College and Casper College on Saturday. Both matches will be unique as SLCC has defeated both of them - first, a 3-0 victory over Casper College in August, and second, a 3-1 win over Treasure Valley last Saturday. 

Dulaney said every match this week will be a good test for her team.

"We approach another week where we will be tested but with every test we are growing stronger," she said. "(This week's opponents) are well-coached and talented teams. We will be ready. 

Salt Lake's Tuesday evening match against MSU-West Plains will begin at 5:00 p.m. inside the Lifetime Activities Center. The Bruins will play Laramie County Community College at 11:00 a.m. on Friday and Miami-Dade at 3:00 p.m. Salt Lake's next home game after the CSI tourney is scheduled for Sept. 24 against Western Wyoming.