CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Southern Utah picked up a win and a loss today at the 2017 Charlotte Invitational, winning in a commanding sweep and against South Carolina State University and suffering a close four set loss at the hands of the Belmont Bruins.

The Thunderbirds went 1-3 at the invitational, with the highlights being senior Macky Fifita's dominant net play, freshman Janet Kalaniuvalu's high hitting percentage, and intimidating defense at the net from freshman Anna Cox and senior MaCail Evans.

Following the tournament Fifita was named to the All-Tournament Team. Through the four matches she had 64 kills, 49 digs and scored 69 points for the Thunderbirds. 

Belmont 3, SUU 1

The Thunderbirds came out strong against the Bruins in the opening set. Kalaniuvalu showed off her abilities with 15 kills. The Bruins also gifted some service errors in the first set, accumulating 19 for the match. Kalaniuvalu's offense, along with Belmont's shaky serving, helped Southern Utah take the first set 25-22.

In the second set, momentum shifted back and forth between the Bruins and the Thunderbirds. Kalaniuvalu and Fifita were pounding the net, but so was Alexa Nichols of Belmont. Towards the end of the set the teams were tied 24-24, and Belmont pulled off two straight points evening the set score to one a piece.

The third set followed a similar path as the second set. The score and momentum of the set went back and forth until the Bruins started to pull away at the end. Down a couple of set points the Thunderbirds played some clutch volleyball to bring the score to 23-24. Coach Howell of Belmont called a timeout to regroup and the Bruins won the next point taking the set with them.

With the momentum behind them the Bruins picked up their offense in the fourth set with 16 of their points in the set coming from kills. Southern Utah fought hard until the end but ultimately it proved too much. Belmont won the final set 25-20 winning the match three sets to one.

Fifita put forth a good effort on offense and defense. She complemented her 16 kills with 12 digs and two blocks. Along with that, Kacie Huntsman and Sarah Vang put forth quality defense getting a combined 27 digs not to mention Evans who racked up an impressive seven blocks.

SUU 3, USCS 0

Coming out of the gate both teams battled back and forth struggling to gain the advantage. The offensive attack was a little slow for both teams at the beginning. Despite that, South Carolina gained the advantage 15-9 and looked poised to take the first set. The Thunderbirds would have none of that though. A couple big runs from the Thunderbirds led to the score being tied up at 26-26. Southern Utah then proved clutch stealing the next two points and the first set.

After letting the first set slip away, the Bulldogs came out strong immediately jumping ahead 8-2. Head coach Craig Choate then called a timeout, and from that point on the Thunderbirds took control and never looked back. They immediately went on a 13-2 run to take a commanding 15-10 lead. Big runs continued to be the story of this set as another 6-0 run from Southern Utah put them up two sets to none, winning 25-18.

The third set was a treat to witness for any T-Bird fan. Mckenzie Van Uitert led the charge with eight kills and only one error for the match. Southern Utah put up strong numbers as a team with a .346 hitting percentage and 11 kills for the set. The Bulldogs did the best they could to hang in, but it ultimately wasn't enough. The Thunderbirds went on to finish off the sweep with another 25-18 victory in this set.

Southern Utah's defense shone in this match by holding South Carolina to a -.070 hitting percentage. Credit goes to Van Uitert and Fifita, who both had ten digs. Along with that, Cox and Evans each picked up five and four blocks respectively.

Moving Forward

The Thunderbirds will face the Utah Valley University Wolverines Tuesday, August 29th, at the Centrum Arena at 6 PM.

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