CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Southern Utah University volleyball team hosted the UNLV Rebels on Friday, falling in four sets.
The first set began as a close contest, as the Rebels held a narrow 5-4 advantage. This was the closest the T-Birds would get, however, as UNLV stretched the lead to six with a 5-0 run. Midway through the set saw the Thunderbirds trail by just five points (15-10). The Rebels went on another run to take a commanding 21-10 lead, and never looked back, taking the set with a score of 25-13.
The Thunderbirds matched the Rebels every move to begin the second set, as the first eight points saw the two teams tied 4-4. UNLV held on to a slight lead early in the match, but an impressive 8-2 run saw them build a 15-8 advantage over Southern Utah. The Thunderbirds didn't fold, and a run of their own saw them bring themselves back into striking distance. A kill by Makenzie Templeton cut the UNLV lead to only four, as the Rebels kept a 18-14 lead. The next four plays saw the two teams duking it out, matching each other point for point. A competitive second match ended with a 5-1 UNLV run, as the Rebels seized the set 25-17.
Southern Utah began a terrific third set by claiming an early 9-6 lead. The Thunderbirds pressed the advantage, extending their lead to seven after a powerful kill from Raegen Beeson. UNLV attempted a late comeback, clawing back to trim the Thunderbirds lead to only four late in the set (21-17). Southern Utah denied the Rebels in the end. Macy Short assisted on the last four Thunderbird points to close the set, including an emphatic kill from Makenzie Templeton to take the third set for SUU 25-19.
A high level of volleyball was displayed to start the fourth set, as the two teams wrestled for the lead early on. Two early kills from Andreanna McKee saw the Thunderbirds trail the Rebels 6-5. UNLV then went on a ferocious 10-2 run to extend the lead to nine points. The Rebels would go on to earn a 25-13 win in the set, taking the match with a 3-1 win.
The Thunderbirds competed well tonight against a talented UNLV team. It was a total team effort, with many players chipping in. Andreanna McKee and Makenzie Templeton tallied 10 kills apiece tonight, each proving to be a force to be reckoned with in the offense. Setter Macy Short recorded 29 assists on the night, a team high. Raegen Beeson was solid on the defensive end, as she totaled three blocks during the match.
Up Next
The Thunderbirds next game will be at home against Idaho State on Saturday. The game is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. MT.
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