Box Score CEDAR CITY, Utah - In their last outing against the Bengals, the Southern Utah volleyball team was defeated in three sets. Tonight, however, the Thunderbirds were out for revenge, and they got it. Southern Utah won the match in a riveting five-set showdown.
The Bengals came out strong in the first set. They quickly gained a 14-7 lead. They were led by senior outside hitter, Chloe Hirst. Hirst had five kills in the first set and helped propel the Bengals to a 25-18 win in the set.
In the second set, Southern Utah started to pick up their game. It was the Thunderbird defense that really excelled.
Anna Cox was a big part of that with ten blocks on the night.
Elisa Lago also came through big on the defensive end with 20 digs.
It was this defensive prowess that allowed the Thunderbirds to come back from a 14-19 deficit to win the set. With the score tied at 21-21, Southern Utah won the next four points and the set.
In the third set,
Macky Fifita caught fire and helped lead the Thunderbirds through the set. She hit seven kills in the set and 25 total kills for the match. Along with the offensive attack, Fifita also contributed on the defensive end recording 13 digs and two blocks.
This was enough to help Southern Utah win the third set 25-19.
Despite all the momentum the Thunderbirds had at this point, the Bengals turned things around in the fourth set. They jumped ahead 16-7 and never looked back from it.
Idaho State won the fourth set 25-15.
With everything on the line in the deciding set, Southern Utah would not be denied. Fifita was as clutch as can be. She hit three consecutive kills at the beginning of the set to take a 3-0 lead.
From then on, there was no doubt who had the match in their hands. The Thunderbirds dominated the set winning it 15-6.
"We brought out a really great energy. Everyone was excited, and I had a really great setter in
Rylee Rogers tonight," said Fifita.
Other valuable contributors tonight were
MaCail Evans who came through with ten kills and five blocks.
Alexis Averett and Rogers also did a great job setting up the offense with each of them recording 20 plus kills.
Senior Day
The Thunderbirds will take the court again this Friday at 12 p.m. MT for their final home match of the season and senior day. The only two seniors on the team, Fifita and Evans, will be celebrated for their college volleyball careers as they play their final home match.
Live Stats/Live Stream
A live stream of Saturday's match will be on PlutoTV. The PlutoTV app can be downloaded to access PlutoTV programming, or visit pluto.tv/watch. All Thunderbird home programming will be available on channel 236.
Live stats will be available on suutbirds.com prior to the start of the match
Follow Us
For any and all Thunderbird volleyball news, follow @SUUVolleyball on Twitter and Instagram along with liking the Southern Utah Volleyball page on Facebook.
Tickets
Fans can purchase tickets for all SUU home matches, by visiting tbirdtickets.com or the America First Event Center Ticket Office.
