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Southern Utah University Athletics

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SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS
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0
Southern Utah SUU 5-22, 4-11 BSC
3
Winner Northern Arizona NAU 20-8, 12-3 BSC
Southern Utah SUU
5-22, 4-11 BSC
0
Final
3
Northern Arizona NAU
20-8, 12-3 BSC
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Southern Utah SUU 17 23 24 (0)
Northern Arizona NAU 25 25 26 (3)

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

Thunderbirds Fall to Lumberjacks in Arizona

RECAP | Thunderbirds Fall to Lumberjacks in Arizona

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- The Southern Utah University volleyball team traveled to Northern Arizona University on Tuesday evening. Despite staying close the the Lumberjacks in the second and third sets, the Thunderbirds fell 3-0.

Janet Kalaniuvalu led both teams in kills with 22, just three shy of her career record at 25. Emma Mangum chipped in eight, followed by Thea Leiataua who had seven, respectively. Alexis Averett made 40 assists and two kills. Miahna Waters led defensively with 19 digs on the match.

"I feel like we fluctuated above them and below them the entire match," head coach Pete Hoyer said. "They were able to stay steady, which in the long run, consistency wins. Our game isn't as mature as NAU and they made us pay because of that."

The Thunderbirds opened the match on a service error which allowed the Lumberjacks to earn a slight scoring advantage early. The Thunderbirds stayed within three until the Lumberjacks went on a 7-2 scoring run putting them ahead by five. SUU couldn't recover from the deficit and fell 25-17, giving NAU a 1-0 lead in the match. Kalaniuvalu had five kills in the first set followed by Mangum who had four.

The second set began with an early 9-0 scoring run for the Thunderbirds as they earned an lead at 12-5. Kalaniuvalu had four kills in the run and Leiataua added an ace. The Lumberjacks fought back going on a 5-0 scoring run which brought them back within three at 13-10. Defensive errors allowed the Lumberjacks to come back and tie the game at 22. An SUU defensive error, NAU service ace and SUU attack error allowed the Lumberjacks to take the second set 25-23.

The Lumberjacks put away five kills in a row early in the third set. As play continued the Thunderbirds were able to knot the score at 18 after a 4-0 scoring run led by Kalaniuvalu. NAU pulled ahead by two at 21-19 but a kill from both Miranda Canez and Mangum tied the set once more at 21. Back and forth play led to a tie at 24 but it was the Lumberjacks who finished the set on top at 26-24, taking the match 3-0.

The Thunderbirds are now 5-22, 4-11 in Big Sky Conference play.  

SUU will play again Friday, November 9 as they face the Bears of University of Northern Colorado at 6:30 p.m. in Cedar City, Utah.
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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