EDINBURG, Texas - The Southern Utah University women's volleyball program competed against UTRGV on Thursday, Sept. 28 at the UTRGV Fieldhouse, falling in three sets. The Thunderbirds move to 4-9 overall and 0-3 in Western Athletic Conference play, while the Vaqueros improve to 8-8 on the season and 2-1 in WAC play.

HEAD COACH KACEY NADY SAYS

"Tonight we saw improvement from last week's matches. The first and second set was the most complete volleyball we've played all year. Next challenge is to find a way to sideout 10% more."

TOP T-BIRDS

• Natasha Obradovic ignited the Thunderbirds offense, leading the team with eight kills.

• Andrea Spasojevic (6) and Hana Makonova (5) also contributed to the attack with kills of their own.

• Teniyah Leuluai compiled a team-high 22 assists to go along with six digs.

• Spasojevic (13) and Arianna Rossi (11) hustled on the defensive end, each totaling double-digit digs.

• Carissa Richie played stifling defense, racking up three blocks on the night.

MATCH RECAP

UTRGV jumped out to a 5-0 advantage to begin the match. Natasha Obradovic provided the answer for the Thunderbirds, pouring in four kills to cut the lead to only two (7-5). The Vaqueros used a 7-2 burst to take a 14-7 lead midway through the set. Southern Utah didn't fold, scoring seven of the next eight points to get within one, 15-14. The two squads took turns scoring points, with the Vaqueros owning a 20-19 lead, but that was the closest the Thunderbirds would get. UTRGV would go on to claim the set 25-21.

The Vaqueros started hot once more, going up 6-2 early in the second set. Andrea Spasojevic provided two kills and a block to jumpstart a 8-4 run that tied the score at 10-10. The Thunderbirds stayed aggressive, with Molly McDermott and Obradovic each scoring a kill that helped SUU take a 15-12 advantage. A balanced scoring effort from the 'Birds allowed them to stay in front 22-21. However, the Vaqueros managed to pull ahead and narrowly take the set 25-23.

The two squads matched each other point for point to start set three, as they found themselves tied at 6-6. Hana Makonova and Spasojevic each added kills to keep the Thunderbirds within striking distance (14-13), but the Vaqueros used a 7-0 burst to take a commanding 21-13 lead. UTRGV went on to seize the set 25-17 and the match 3-0.

UP NEXT

The Thunderbirds will travel south for a showdown against in-state rival Utah Tech on Monday, Oct. 2. The match is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. MT.

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