CEDAR CITY, Utah - Despite a career-high 13 kills from Charlotte Wilson, the Southern Utah University women's volleyball team fell to Seattle University in five hard fought sets on Thursday, Oct. 12 at the America First Event Center. The Thunderbirds move to 5-12 on the season and 1-6 in Western Athletic Conference play, while the Redhawks improve to 6-12 overall and 1-6 in WAC play.

HEAD COACH KACEY NADY SAYS

"This match came down to who wanted it more. Kudos to Seattle for battling. It's unacceptable to be up 8-0 and lose in the fifth. We accept responsibility and are going to fight."

TOP T-BIRDS

• Charlotte Wilson posted a career-high 13 kills on an impressive .333 hitting percentage.

• Southern Utah utilized a balanced attack as Andrea Spasojevic (13) and Hana Makonova (11) each totaled double-digit kills.

• Teniyah Leuluai had her fingerprints all over this match as she led the Thunderbirds in both assists (39) and digs (18).

• Amaya Tobias was a force to be reckoned with defensively, recording five blocks on the night.

• Spasojevic (5) and Leuluai (4) showcased their serving prowess, leading the squad in aces.

• Natasha Obradovic had an impressive all around game with nine kills and 13 digs.

MATCH RECAP

Seattle U took a 9-3 lead to begin the match. Southern Utah rallied from the early deficit to trim the lead to only one, 16-15, midway through the set. Hana Makonova led the Thunderbirds with four kills in the period, but the Redhawks were able to narrowly take the set 25-22.

The second set was a back and forth affair, with the two squads finding themselves tied at 13-13. Charlotte Wilson added a kill that sparked a 4-0 run to push SUU in front 17-13, but Seattle U would cut the lead to only two (18-16) late in the set. Southern Utah responded, erupting with a 7-1 stretch to take the set 25-17.

A balanced scoring effort helped the Thunderbirds jump out to a 11-7 advantage. Southern Utah stayed hot, extending its lead to 16-13. However, the Redhawks were able to battle back to go up 24-21. SUU was able to tie the set at 24-24, but it wasn't enough as Seattle U would seize set three 26-24.

Wilson and Spasojevic each added a pair of kills to give the Thunderbirds a 9-5 lead in set four. After the Redhawks fought to get within one (11-10), Southern Utah would catch fire, using a 10-2 sprint to take a commanding 21-12 advantage. The Thunderbirds never looked back as they went on to take the set 25-18.

The Thunderbirds exploded out of the gates in set five, taking an 8-0 lead. This set also proved to be a tight battle, as the Redhawks mounted a ferocious rally to tie the set at 13-13. Seattle U would go on to claim the set 15-13 and the match 3-2.

UP NEXT

Southern Utah has a quick turnaround as it hosts in-state rival Utah Valley on Saturday, Oct. 14. The match is slated to begin at 1 p.m. MT.

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