HUNTSVILLE, Texas - The Southern Utah University volleyball team (4-12, 3-4 WAC) put on an impressive performance today, defeating the Sam Houston Bearkats (6-16, 3-5 WAC) in three sets.
The Bearkats struck first, scoring four of the first six points to hold an early lead. A pair of kills by both Raegen Beeson and Rylee Achtzehn helped the Thunderbirds fire back with a 6-0 run of their own, taking the lead (8-4). Despite this strong response, the T-Birds fell behind 11-9 after a dominant stretch by Sam Houston. The Bearkats would hold on to a slight lead for much of the set, until they found themselves leading SUU 24-20. With the set on the line, the Thunderbirds knew they had to play their best game. Southern Utah began to chip away, first with a kill from Raegen Beeson, followed by a pair of kills by Rylee Achtzehn, culminating in a kill by Macy Short that tied the set at 24-24. The Bearkats would earn the next point, making it set point again. The Thunderbirds didn't crumble under the pressure. Instead they executed to perfection, orchestrating a 4-1 run that was capped off by an incredible kill by Makenzie Templeton. Southern Utah completed the comeback, taking the first set 28-26.
The Thunderbirds started slow to begin set two, as the Bearkats would leap out to an 8-5 advantage. After this point, however, Southern Utah found their stride, looking dominant for the rest of the set. An 8-2 run put SUU ahead by three points, but they didn't stop there. The Thunderbirds mustered yet another 8-2 run, this time behind the dominant play of Carissa Richie, who recorded two kills and assisted on two blocks during this segment. Southern Utah found themselves in the driver's seat, leading 21-12, and they didn't slow down. Molly McDermott wrapped up a dominant set with a kill of her own, and the Thunderbirds seized set two 25-15.
The final set was a battle and a true game of runs. SUU took an early 10-4 lead, just to see the Bearkats respond with a 12-2 run to take a four point advantage (16-12). The Thunderbirds replied by scoring six of the next seven points to take a slim 18-17 edge over the Bearkats. They wouldn't hold the lead for long, as Sam Houston went on a 5-2 run to go up by two points (22-20). Makenzie Templeton refused to let Southern Utah lose, as she recorded three straight kills for the T-Birds. Both teams found themselves tied as they approached the home stretch (23-23). Sam Houston scored, creating set point. The Thunderbirds kept their cool, tying the set once again. This happened three more times. Each time the Bearkats would create set point, the T-Birds would respond with a clutch play to keep the set alive. The score would be tied one final time at 27-27. This time, it was SUU who scored, creating match point in their favor. Macy Short did what she had done all night: she got the ball to Makenzie Templeton. Templeton delivered when the lights shone the brightest, scoring the final kill to win the set 29-27 and the match 3-0.
There were many factors for the Thunderbirds dominant performance today. Makenzie Templeton was explosive, recording 17 kills in only three sets. The Thunderbirds needed each and every one, as she was often the difference maker down the stretch. Two other T-Birds tallied double digit kills as well. Rylee Achtzehn put on a show, scoring eight of her 14 kills in the first set, and Raegen Beeson delivered 11 kills to go along with three blocks. Macy Short was phenomenal, finding her teammates time and time again on her way to 44 assists. On the defensive end, Sarah Gasper led the team with digs with 13, while Molly McDermott and Macy Short each added 12 digs of their own.
With the win, Southern Utah improves to 4-12 overall and 3-4 in conference play.
Up Next
The Thunderbirds will return home this Thursday for a matchup against Seattle University. The match is slated to begin at 6:00 p.m. MT.
Follow Us
Stay up to date on the Thunderbird Volleyball program by following @SUUVolleyball on Twitter and Instagram and liking the Southern Utah Volleyball page on Facebook.
