RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas - The Southern Utah University volleyball program (2-11, 1-3 WAC) fell to UTRGV (15-4, 4-0 WAC) on Saturday, losing in three sets.

The first set was a close contest, as the two squads found themselves evenly matched midway through the set (13-13). The Vaqueros began to pull ahead, building a slight 19-16 lead. The Thunderbirds answered by scoring three consecutive points to tie the game, with kills from Molly McDermott and Ronnie Robinson and an attack error by UTRGV. Southern Utah took a slight advantage (22-21), but they didn't hold it for long. The Vaqueros poured in four straight points to win the set 25-22.

The Thunderbirds started slow to start the second set, falling behind early. The UTRGV lead grew to eight points (21-13) late in the set, but Southern Utah would rally back to keep it competitive. A 4-0 run shaved the Vaquero lead to only four points (21-17). This was the closest the Thunderbirds would get, however, as UTRGV finished strong, taking the second set 25-18.

The Vaqueros took an early lead again (5-2), and it looked to be a repeat of the second set, but the T-Birds bounced back. A kill from Makenzie Templeton brought the game back within one (6-5), and before long the set was tied at 10 apiece. From here on out the two teams duked it out, taking turns scoring until the score was tied yet again at 18-18. The Vaqueros stormed ahead with a quick 3-0 run, but the Thunderbirds matched it with a three point outburst of their own, highlighted by a kill from Brooke Pattschull that tied the game for the final time (22-22). UTGRV would muster one final run to seize the set 25-22, winning the match 3-0.

This match was closer than the scoreboard suggests, as Southern Utah competed in every set. SUU was led by the brilliant play of Makenzie Templeton, who had 13 huge kills to power the Thunderbird offense. Molly McDermott came to play today, as she totaled six kills and a team-high 14 digs in a versatile performance. Macy Short chipped in 27 assists during the match as well.

Up Next

The Thunderbirds will return to Cedar City for a match against Abilene Christian on Thursday. The game is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. MT.

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