BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Southern Utah University women's volleyball team emerged victorious on the first day of the Bakersfield Tournament on Friday, Aug. 25, triumphing against Providence in four sets before defeating Eastern Washington in five sets. The Thunderbirds improve to 2-0 on the season, while the Friars fall to 0-1 and the Eagles drop to 0-2 overall.

Individual Leaders vs. Providence

Hana Makonva led the squad with a versatile performance, racking up 14 kills to go along with seven blocks. Carissa Richie (10) and Natasha Obradovic (9) added to the 'Birds attack with kills of their own, while Teniyah Leuluai compiled 31 assists to fuel the offense.

Defensively, Calli Johnson and Obradovic each totaled 17 digs.

Individual Leaders vs. Eastern Washington

The 'Birds relied on a balanced attack against the Eagles, with Molly McDermott (13), Obradovic (12), and Makonova (11) each tallying double-digit kills.

On the defensive side of the game, Andrea Spasojevic led the way with 16 digs. Makonova, Richie, and McDermott all played stifling defense, with each recording three blocks.

MATCH RECAPS

SOUTHERN UTAH vs. PROVIDENCE

The Thunderbirds came out strong in their first set of the season, jumping out to an early 8-3 advantage. The Friars battled back to trim the 'Birds lead to only one, 11-10, midway through the set. Several players chipped in for Southern Utah as it built up a six point lead (19-13). SUU never looked back, claiming the first set 25–21.

The second set was a tight contest. The two squads matched each other point for point throughout the set before finding themselves tied at 23-23. The Friars broke the stalemate and ultimately took the set 26-24.

Southern Utah came to play to begin set three, taking a 6-1 advantage. Providence rallied to trim the lead to only three, 13-10, midway through the set. SUU responded with a 7-3 run to extend its lead to seven (20-13). Hana Makonova was brilliant down the stretch, totaling five kills to help the T-Birds take the set 25-17.

Providence started strong in set four, building a 13-10 lead. Southern Utah fought back to tie the score at 14-14. Carissa Richie added three kills as the Thunderbirds stormed ahead with an 8-1 sprint, taking a commanding 22-15 lead. SUU pulled away in the end, taking the set 25-18 and winning the match 3-1.

SOUTHERN UTAH vs. EASTERN WASHINGTON

Southern Utah took turns exchanging points with Eastern Washington early in set one, as the two teams saw the score tied at 7-7. The Thunderbirds found their rhythm, building a 15-11 lead midway through. SUU cruised to the finish line, taking the set 25-19.

The second set was a back and forth affair, and the two squads found themselves tied at 22-22. Eastern Washington pulled away in the end with a 25-23 set victory.

The Thunderbirds stormed out the gates and claimed an 8-3 lead in set three. Southern Utah kept its foot on the gas, extending its lead to eight (16-8) at the midpoint. The Eagles trimmed the 'Birds advantage down to only four (21-17), but the T-Birds held on to win the set 25-17.

SUU jumped out to an 11-5 lead in set four. The Eagles fired back with nine consecutive points to take a 14-11 advantage. The set evolved into a game of runs, and the two squads found themselves tied at 22-22. Eastern Washington pulled away in the end to narrowly take the set 26-24.

The Thunderbirds took a 4-0 advantage to set the tone in set five. The Eagles used a 3-1 run to get within two (5-3), but that was the closest they would get. SUU utilized a 10-4 sprint to close the match. Arianna Rossi connected with Calli Johnson for the clinching kill, as the 'Birds would take the set 15-7 and the match 3-2.

UP NEXT

The Thunderbirds look to close out the tournament Saturday against the host school California State University at Bakersfield. The match is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. MT.

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