RENO, Nev. – The Gonzaga volleyball team concluded the Nevada Invitational, falling in three sets (25-21, 25-20, 25-19) to Southern Utah at the Virginia Street Gym in Reno, Nev. With the loss, the Bulldogs finished nonconference play with an even 6-6 record, the best nonconference performance by the Bulldogs since finishing 7-3 in 2016.
 
"We weren't able to string together many plays today," head volleyball coach Diane Nelson said. "We're looking forward to getting back into the gym to prepare for WCC play."
 
Gonzaga (6-6) was led by junior Sarah Penner with 11 kills, her second-straight double-figure kills performance. So far this season, Penner has finished with double-figure kills in eight matches. Senior Jenna Kuehn added a match-high 34 kills and 11 digs for her third double-double of the season. Sophomore Kennedy Croft added a match-high 16 digs.
 
The Bulldogs hit .252 as a team, connecting for 47 kills off 115 swings with 18 errors. Redshirt junior Katelyn Oppio led the Zags in accuracy, hitting .500 for the match as she finished with seven kills off 14 attempts with no errors.
 
Southern Utah (6-6) was led by Shannon Webb with 13 kills hitting .400. Corrin Peterson added 30 assists while Thea Leiataua finished with 17 digs.
 
Gonzaga's Oppio was named to the Nevada Invitational All-Tournament team for her performance against Cal Baptist, Nevada and Southern Utah. The Sparks, Nev., native finished with 15 kills hitting .286 for the weekend to go along with four kills, five digs and 11.0 blocks.
 
The Bulldogs return home to open West Coast Conference play Thursday, Sept. 26 against No. 12 BYU at 6 p.m. in the Charlotte Y. Martin Centre.