As the Division I season approaches for multiple sports, the players prepare for the biggest games yet. Brock Doman highlights the best games that students won’t want to miss. Photo illustration by Breanna Biorato.
The fall 2020 semester is approaching the home stretch, which also means we are moving toward Dixie State University competing in athletics once again.
With sporting events going on multiple times per week next semester, it is a daunting task to try balancing school, work, friends and getting out to support your Trailblazers. If you are like me and wish you could attend every game possible, but can’t do that because of time restraints, look no further because I’m highlighting the top home and away games for men and women’s basketball, men and women’s soccer, and volleyball.
Men’s Basketball
Home: Jan. 8-9 vs. New Mexico State University
DSU will tip off Western Athletic Conference play against the Aggies. The Aggies finished No. 1 in the conference last year and are hopeful to have a high finish in the conference rankings once again. This game holds a big potential impact from the Trailblazers as they look to shake up the WAC the first week of conference play. Since these two teams are set to face each other in back-to-back nights at the M. Anthony Burns Arena, we can expect to see a packed house with great basketball being played.
Away: Feb. 12-13 at Utah Valley University
DSU will travel to Orem for the first time since DSU made the transition to Division I. In the 2018-19 season, the Wolverines (12-4 in conference) finished No. 2 in the WAC. This is a huge game for the Trailblazers as they look to make their mark not only in the WAC by taking down one of its top three teams, but also in the state of Utah.
Women’s Basketball
Home: Dec. 1 vs. Brigham Young University
DSU is bringing in one of the best DI basketball programs in the state for the first game of the season. This will be an excellent test for the Trailblazers to see how they compete against one of the in-state powerhouses. The Cougars went 13-5 in 2019 and finished No. 3 in the West Coast Conference.
Away: Feb. 19-20 at Tarleton State
Just like DSU, Tarleton State in Stephenville, Texas is joining the WAC in 2020. This game will potentially have major postseason implications. With only two other in-conference games after this on the schedule, these are big games for DSU to determine who outlasts the other as they battle for conference victories with a week left in the season.
Volleyball
Home: March 1 vs. Utah Valley University
As the in-conference rivalry begins for these two teams, we can expect to see tenacity from both teams over this homestand for the Trailblazers. With only two weeks of conference play after these games, teams will be battling for postseason seeding. UVU finished sixth out of nine teams in the conference last year, and went 11-19 overall.
Away: Jan. 25-26 at New Mexico State University
In 2019, the Aggies swept the conference with a perfect 16-0 record, and a 27-4 record overall. As DSU jumps into conference play to start the season, they are faced with the challenging test of dismantling NM State and giving the Aggies the first conference loss since 2018.
Men’s Soccer
Home: Feb. 6 vs. Air Force Academy
Greater Zion Stadium will be the battlegrounds as the Falcons travel to St. George for the first time. Air Force finished No. 3 in the WAC last year, losing only three three games in conference. As the Trailblazers kick off their season against Air Force, we will see men’s soccer action in the spring, which will bring a sense of normality to an otherwise hectic school year.
Away: April 5 at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
This game holds a large amount of weight since it is the final game of regular season play for both teams. Last year, UTRGV finished 4-5-2 and ninth in the conference out of 12. For the 2020 season, UTRGV will return 17 upperclassmen out of the 26 roster spots. We can expect to see this UTRGV team be much better for the 2020-21 because of the 17 returning upperclassmen and from gaining almost another whole season before they face the Trailblazers.
Women’s Soccer
Home: March 4 and 6 vs. Seattle University
The Redhawks finished No. 1 in the WAC in the 2019 season and will be a ferocious team once again for the rest of the conference. This game will be extremely important for the Trailblazers as they look to gain confidence for the rest of conference play. These two teams face off just four games into the season for the Trailblazers, which gives them the opportunity to prepare for Seattle U to come to town.
Away: April 10 at Utah Valley University
When you think of rivalries, you think of games like this. The final game of the season, two in-state teams, and the result will have a major impact on the playoffs. Utah Valley finished No. 3 in the WAC in 2019 and seeks to be conference champion for the 2020 season. This is a huge game for the Trailblazers to make their mark in the conference and establish their place in the state.
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