Women's Volleyball 9/29/2018 5:54:00 PM Taylor Whitson - SUU Athletics Strategic Communication

Thunderbirds Victorious Over Portland State

Box Score RECAP | Thunderbirds Victorious Over Portland State

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Southern Utah University volleyball team picked up their first Big Sky Conference win this afternoon as they defeated Portland State University 3-1.

Janet Kalaniuvalu led the Thunderbirds to victory tallying 22 kills, one service ace and 18 digs. Emma Mangum chipped in 13 kills and three service aces, respectively. Libero Miahna Waters led the team defensively with 21 digs.

"This win is just a continuation of us as a team finding ourselves. We were able to manage our own emotions," said head coach Pete Hoyer. "I am proud of the entire team for the win tonight but a few players specifically I am just so impressed by. Hats off to Alexis Averett, our setter, who is starting to quarterback our team and Janet Kalaniuvalu who swing after swing is continuing to fight and find ways to score for us. This is huge for our momentum and huge for our young team. But as every player here knows, it's back to practice Monday and our eyes are on the next match."

The Thunderbirds scored a quick four points to start the match in the lead but were quickly caught by the Vikings as they went on a 7-1 scoring run, putting them up 10-8. Katie Montgomery had three kills in the set, followed by Kalaniuvalu who had a quiet first set with two kills and one block for the Thunderbirds. SUU had a hard time passing the ball and totalled eight errors which made finding a rhythm difficult. The Vikings took the first set 25-18.

During the second set the Thunderbirds received a big push from Mackenzie Dowell and Montgomery who led the Thunderbirds on a 4-0 scoring run tying the game 9-9. The Vikings fired back with a 3-0 run putting them up 12-9. A few back and forth rallies led to a 15-15 tie where SUU then went on a 7-1 run led by Kalaniuvalu. PSU was able to come back once again tying the game at 22-22. A service error from the Vikings put the Thunderbirds up, followed by a kill from Montgomery. Kalaniuvalu's attacks were the final points needed to end the set for a SUU win 26-24.

Kalaniuvalu scored four out of the Thunderbirds eight points in the start of the third set. The Vikings made several errors which increased the Thunderbirds lead to 10-3. Emma Mangum made noise from the outside hitter position, earning five kills on the set and helping separate the Thunderbirds from the Vikings. PSU was not going down without a fight as they came within two at 24-22, but a kill from Montgomery put the game in the bag for the Thunderbirds 25-22.

The Thunderbirds looked to have control of the fourth set at 17-13 but that is when the Vikings went on a 8-1 scoring run to put them up by three at 21-18. The Thunderbirds trusted in Kalaniuvalu to take over the game as she added three kills to tie the game at 23-23. Miranda Canez who had two solo blocks on the night, dented the Vikings side of the floor with a massive block putting the Thunderbirds up by one. Kalaniuvalu then put down her 22 kill of the night to end the set and the match, leading the Thunderbirds to victory 3-1 over the Vikings.

"I am really proud of how we played," said Kalaniuvalu. "It wasn't always easy and it wasn't always pretty but we willed ourselves to win and it feels great. Excited to take this win home and continue to nuid throughout the next few weeks. We want to be busy Thanksgiving weekend."

The Thunderbirds can be seen next on Thursday October 4, in Cedar City, Utah as they face the Grizzlies of the University of Montana at 6:30 p.m.
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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Players Mentioned

#4 Alexis Averett: S; 5' 10"; Junior

#16 Miranda Canez: MB; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#10 Janet Kalaniuvalu: OH; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#3 Emma Mangum: OH/MB; 6' 4"; Freshman

#1 Miahna Waters: L; 5' 8"; Freshman

#13 Katie Montgomery: MH; 6' 2"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#4 Alexis Averett
: 5' 10"; Junior
: S

#16 Miranda Canez
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: MB

#10 Janet Kalaniuvalu
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: OH

#3 Emma Mangum
: 6' 4"; Freshman
: OH/MB

#1 Miahna Waters
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: L

#13 Katie Montgomery
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: MH