PHOENIX, Ariz. – Southern Utah volleyball defeated Grand Canyon in four sets to end its three-game losing streak. SUU snagged the first and second set (25-10, 25-21) before Grand Canyon took the third set, 30-28. The Thunderbirds cleaned up the match in the fourth with a tight 26-24 victory.
 
The T-Birds took a quick 10-1 lead over the Antelopes and kept the momentum throughout the first set guiding them to a 25-10 finish. Southern Utah finished with a .520 hitting percentage, its highest of the night. The T-Birds totaled 13 kills in the set as freshman setter Faith Ma'afala chipped in three service aces.
 
SUU trailed Grand Canyon 6-1 in the second set before catching up to even the count at 13-13. The Thunderbirds then ran off a four-point streak on their way to a 25-21 finish. SUU ended the set with 15 kills and a .182 hitting percentage. Freshman outside hitter Remo Gaogao and junior outside hitter Madi Forsythe each finished the set with five kills.
 
Southern Utah led 18-13 nearing the end of the third set before Grand Canyon caught up at match point to tie the game, 24-24. It was then back-and-forth in extra points until the Antelopes snagged a 30-28 advantage to stay alive.
 
Grand Canyon pulled ahead again in the fourth set before Southern Utah came back to clinch the match with a 26-24 finish. Gaogao, Forsythe and Ann Clappier led the Thunderbirds in kills with 15 apiece as Annie Stradling chipped in another 10. Ma'afala totaled 47 assists in the match with Sariah Pelaez adding 23 digs. SUU finished the match with 12 blocks.
 
“This match was a good test for us. At times our youth showed but we were able to come out on top,” Coach Debby Baker said. “I'm happy for the girls.”
 
The Thunderbirds travel to Las Vegas on Tuesday, Sept. 23, to face UNLV at 7 p.m. (MT). Southern Utah hosts Sacramento State Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. followed by Portland State on Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. to open Big Sky Conference play.