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Southern Utah University Athletics

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SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS
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3
Winner Sacramento State SAC 14-12 (9-3 BSC)
0
Southern Utah SUU 3-21 (2-10 BSC)
Winner
Sacramento State SAC
14-12 (9-3 BSC)
3
Final
0
Southern Utah SUU
3-21 (2-10 BSC)
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Sacramento State SAC 25 25 25 (3)
Southern Utah SUU 23 20 12 (0)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball | | Taylor Whitson - SUU Athletics Strategic Communication

SUU Goes Down in Three to Sacramento

RECAP | SUU Goes Down in Three to Sacramento

CEDAR CITY, Utah -- The Thunderbird volleyball team lost 3-0 to the Hornets of Sacramento State University on Saturday, October 27 2018.

Before competition began setter Alexis Averett was recognized for surpassing the all-time assist record after her play on October 4, 2018. Averett beat Brittney Clark's record of 2,125 assists and now has 2,424 career assists after conclusion of play on Saturday afternoon.

Janet Kalaniuvalu led the Thunderbirds in kills with 11 followed by Emma Mangum and Miranda Canez who each had seven kills of their own. Averett had one ace, one block and 28 assists. Miahna Waters led the defense with 11 digs.

"Sacramento is a great team, there is no doubt about it," head coach Pete Hoyer said. "In some ways we are a great matchup but in other ways they can just dominate on a level that we cannot sustain yet. They force teams to play long rallies and we don't have the emotional stamina to play those set after set. We are putting this behind and going back to practice, looking to the next game."

The Thunderbirds started the first set strong with a seven point lead at 20-13. Kalaniuvalu had six kills followed by Averett who added four kills and an ace. The set then slipped away from SUU as Sacramento went on a 11-2 scoring run. Mikaela Nocetti put away the final ball for the Hornets who won the set 25-23.

The second set began with SUU in the lead as the Thunderbirds benefited greatly from the strong play by the middle blockers and Kalaniuvalu who combined for six out of the eight first points. SUU held the lead for the majority of the match until Sacramento knotted the score at 18. Several service errors from both teams switched the possession of play and the score tied again at 20. Ultimately defensive errors by the Thunderbirds gave the Hornets their second set win 25-20.

"I'm proud of the way our middles played this afternoon," Hoyer said. "It's nice to have Hopkins back in and we are always happy when Miranda Canez can get some touches."

Sacramento State went on a 7-2 scoring run early in the third set. The run pulled their lead to 17-8 where an attack error from the Hornets earned the Thunderbirds a side out. SUU wasn't able to capitalize due to a service error which gave the ball right back to Sacramento. The Hornets then ran with the game to 25-12 earning a set win and match sweep.

The Thunderbirds are now 3-21 on the season and 2-10 in Big Sky Conference play.

SUU will play again Thursday, November 1 as they face the Bobcats of Montana State University at 7 p.m. in Bozeman, Montana.
Stay updated on the Thunderbirds 24/7 by following @SUUVolleyball on Twitter and Instagram along with liking the Southern Utah Volleyball page on Facebook.
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