Skip To Main Content

Southern Utah University Athletics

lightning logo
SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS
lightning logo
3
Winner Southern Utah SUU 5-21, 4-10 BSC
0
Montana UM 8-18, 5-9 BSC
Winner
Southern Utah SUU
5-21, 4-10 BSC
3
Final
0
Montana UM
8-18, 5-9 BSC
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Southern Utah SUU 25 25 25 (3)
Montana UM 23 17 20 (0)

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

Thunderbirds End the Grizzlies in Three Sets

RECAP | Thunderbirds End the Grizzlies in Three Sets

CEDAR CITY, Utah -- The Southern Utah volleyball team dominated the University of Montana on Saturday evening, winning the match 3-0.

The Thunderbird offense was led by Janet Kalaniuvalu who had 11 kills on the night, followed by Emma Mangum who had eight kills and seven blocks. Miranda Canez added six of her own kills and led in blocks with eight. Miahna Waters led the defense with 15 digs while Thea Leiataua added in 12 digs of her own and three service aces.

"The whole thing just comes down to us playing defense now," head coach Pete Hoyer said. "We had the grit to block extremely well and we are now digging better than we have all season. They all played well; not one of them hasn't elevated their game this weekend and that's something to be proud of."

The first set opened with back-and-forth play, as each team took turns holding the lead. SUU was down by just one at 11-10 when an attack error by the Grizzlies started a a 9-1 scoring run for the Thunderbirds. No sooner did the Thunderbirds pull away the Grizzlies fought their way back, coming within two at 20-18. A service error from Mckayla Hammer gave SUU the side out and the point to extend their lead to three. The set came back within one at 23-22, Thunderbirds still holding the lead. A kill from Canez put SUU in set point position but the Grizzlies scored once more. Kalaniuvalu made the final kill, earning the Thunderbirds a set win at 25-23.

In the second set the Thunderbirds quickly separated themselves from the Grizzlies at 10-3 but Montana once again came back within reach at 11-8. Several strong back row digs that were easily put away by Kalaniuvalu and Hopkins pushed the SUU lead to 15-9. The Grizzlies libero served back-to-back aces pushing their score to 11. A massive effort from Canez and Mangum on the net put the Thunderbirds comfortably ahead of the Grizzlies at 21-11. Missie Huddleston led a small comeback effort, earning the Grizzlies six more points before the Thunderbirds took the set 25-17.

The third set tied eight times before the 15 point mark where SUU was able to take the lead by two after back-to-back aces from Leiataua. By 20-16 the Thunderbirds were in the lead with their largest margin of the set. The Grizzlies called a timeout which worked to their advantage as they earned a point on the first play coming out of the break. The Thunderbirds capitalized on the attack errors made by the Grizzlies and put away two more kills of their own to take the set 25-20, winning the match 3-0.

The Thunderbirds are now 5-21, 4-10 in Big Sky Conference play

SUU will play again Tuesday, November 6 as they face the Lumberjacks of Northern Arizona University at 7 p.m. in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Stay updated on the Thunderbirds 24/7 by following @SUUVolleyball on Twitter and Instagram along with liking the Southern Utah Volleyball page on Facebook.




 
Print Friendly Version