CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Southern Utah University volleyball team played a thrilling match against the Idaho State Bengals on Saturday, winning in five competitive sets.
Raegen Beeson came out hot to start the first set, scoring four of the first six Thunderbird points. It was a back and forth affair, but Southern Utah held on to a steady lead. A kill from Macy Short made the score 21-15 in favor of SUU. A set win was within reach, and the T-Birds didn't slow down. Idaho State scored four consecutive points to creep back into the game, but the Thunderbirds maintained their composure. Makenzie Templeton was a force to be reckoned with, scoring the last two points for Southern Utah with emphatic kills. The Thunderbirds earned a set one victory with a score of 25-21.
Southern Utah matched the Bengals every move to start the second set. The two teams saw themselves tied 11-11 early on. Neither team built a lead larger than two points, and towards the end of the match the two squads had 22 points apiece. The Thunderbirds briefly took a 24-23 lead after a kill from Calli Johnson, but the Bengals bounced back with three consecutive points. Idaho State tied the match 1-1 by winning the second set 26-24.
Idaho State looked to be in control to begin the third set, building a 14-10 advantage over the T-Birds. Coach Kacey Nady called a timeout to regroup her team and create some momentum for them. Following the timeout, Southern Utah went on a 10-4 run that gave the Thunderbirds a two point lead late in the set (20-18). The Bengals responded with a four point run themselves, taking the lead back for good. Idaho State would go on to narrowly take the third set 25-23.
Macy Short began the fourth set with some spectacular serves, giving the T-Birds the lead after two aces of her own. The set was a neck and neck contest, with the Thunderbirds holding on to a slim 9-8 lead early on. Idaho State jumped ahead after a 7-1 run gave them a 15-10 edge over Southern Utah. The situation was similar to the third set, with the Bengals holding a lead late in the match. The Thunderbirds knew the next stretch was pivotal, and they executed to perfection. Southern Utah rallied back with a 11-1 run, highlighted by two more aces from Macy Short and three kills from Makenzie Templeton. Southern Utah now found themselves in the driver's seat, and the Thunderbirds drove straight to the finish line. It was fitting that the T-Birds 25th point was another ace by Molly McDermott, the sixth service ace of the set for Southern Utah. After a 25-20 victory in the fourth set, the Thunderbirds looked ahead to a crucial winner takes all fifth set.
The Thunderbirds were electric to start the final set. A powerful block by Raegen Beeson negated the Bengals scoring attempt, and gave the Thunderbirds a 3-0 lead. The display of excellence was far from over, however. The Bengals scored, but the momentum had swayed in the favor of the Thunderbirds. The kills began to pile up for Southern Utah during a 6-0 run that blew the game open, first by Makenzie Templeton, then Andreanna McKee. The run was punctuated by a powerful kill by Molly McDermott to give the T-Birds a seemingly insurmountable 9-1 lead. The Thunderbirds saw themselves within arms reach of victory after a kill from Raegen Beeson made the score 14-6. An attack error from the Bengals clinched the win for the Thunderbirds, as they won the fifth and final set in dramatic fashion 15-6, and the match 3-2.
Makenzie Templeton was huge tonight for Southern Utah, leading the team with 17 kills. Another key factor in the victory was the brilliant play of Macy Short, who added 39 assists and a whopping five service aces. The defensive prowess of Carissa Richie and Raegen Beeson was on display tonight, as they both had crucial blocks during the match (Richie 5, Beeson 3).
Up Next
The Thunderbirds will be back on the road for a match against California Baptist University on Thursday. The game is scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. MT.
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