La Jolla, Calif. - The Southern Utah University women's volleyball team wrapped up the first day of play at the UC San Diego Invitational on Friday, Aug. 30, falling to Northern Arizona in four sets and Gonzaga in three sets. The Thunderbirds fall to 0-2 on the season while the Lumberjacks and Bulldogs move to 1-0 on the year respectively.
Head Coach Kacey Nady Said:
"There were glimpses today of how we have been training in practice which is promising for our potential. Potential also means nothing without action and we need to take action in our preparedness to compete to win."
Top T-Birds vs. Northern Arizona
- Teniyah Leulaui fueled the team offense dishing out 22 assists.
- Finley Charapata stayed aggressive in the front court, leading the team with 8 kills.
- Calli Johnson hustled for 12 digs for the Thunderbirds.
Top T-Birds vs. Gonzaga
- Victoria Zibecchi led the offensive attack with 9 kills.
- Teniyah Leulaui (18) and Allison Rohrer (15) effectively set up their teammates, totaling 33 assists.
Match Recaps
Southern Utah vs. Northern Arizona
Northern Arizona started the match strong taking a 20-8 lead late into the first set. A pair of kills from newcomers Marlee Ervin and Victoria Zibecchi weren't enough as NAU took the first frame 25-11.
The second set was a back-and-forth affair for both squads, with SUU taking an early 3-2 lead before an 8-1 run put Northern Arizona up 10-4. With the Lumberjack lead at 22-11, the Thunderbirds went on a 6-1 run of their own led by the service of Madison Walker. However, this was the closest the team got as NAU put the set away 25-17.
Set number three saw the 'Birds flip the script as the team capitalized on early errors from Nothern Arizona to take a 7-6 lead. Both squads kept things close late into the set as Southern Utah led 17-14 before big kills from Charlotte Wilson and Finley Charapata helped give the Thunderbirds a 24-15 lead. The Lumberjacks responded with two quick points, but a block from Andrea Spasojevic and Carissa Richie sealed the deal and gave their team a 25-17 set win.
After going point-for-point to begin the fourth set tied at 3-3, the Lumberjacks rallied off an 11-4 run to take a 14-7 lead halfway through the frame. Despite a pair of kills from Molly McDermott, the lead proved insurmountable as NAU took the set 25-13 to win the match.
Southern Utah vs. Gonzaga
The first set began with both clubs going for blows, with SUU taking advantage of Bulldog errors to trail only 12-9 halfway through the set. Despite a balanced attack led by key assists from Allison Rohrer, the team fell just short, losing 25-20 in the first.
Set number two proved to be yet another close one, with both teams trading the lead throughout. Down 23-21 late in the frame, two big assists from Teniyah Leulaui set up Amaya Tobias and Charlotte Wilson to tie it up at 23 apiece. After trading points to make it 25-25, Gonzaga rattled off two quick points to win the set 27-25.
Down 8-4 early in the third frame, Carissa Richie ripped a kill and service ace to put Southern Utah within two. However, it was the closest the team would get as a pair of 5-0 runs from the Bulldogs allowed them to put the set away 25-15 and win the game.
Up Next
The 'Birds will look to wrap up the tournament on Saturday, Aug. 31 as they take on host school, the University of California San Diego at 6 p.m. MT. Tune in to watch the match live on ESPN+ or follow along with live stats here.
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