LA JOLLA, Calif. - The Southern Utah University volleyball team competed against the University of California San Diego on Saturday, Aug. 31, falling in five hard-fought sets. The Thunderbirds fall to 0-3 on the season while the Tritons improve to 2-0.

Head Coach Kacey Nady Said:

"We fought hard and were gritty. We prepared mentally and emotionally and it was very apparent. Efficiency wise, we hit almost zero and took a very good team to 5 sets so it's very exciting of what's to come this season."

Top T-Birds

• Victoria Zibecchi showcased an impressive offensive game, compiling a team-high 15 kills.
• Teniyah Leuluai continued her remarkable tournament, gathering an incredible 36 assists.
• Arianna Rossi hustled defensively, racking up 19 digs.

Match Recap

The first frame saw both teams going blow for blow tied 13-13 led by big kills from Charlotte Wilson and Victoria Zibecchi, but a 4-0 and 5-0 run from the Tritons saw them take a commanding lead and win the set 19-25. 

Down 12-20 in the second set, the Thunderbirds mounted a furious comeback led by a balanced attack from Teniyah Leulaui and Andrea Spasojevic. After a 5-1 run from SUU cut the deficit to four, UCSD responded with a quick kill to push the lead to 23-18. Led once again by Leulaui, the 'Birds rattled off an 8-1 run capped off by a Kennady Charlton kill to win the second 26-24.

After beginning the third tied 2-2, a 13-3 run from San Diego gave them a commanding 15-5 lead. A couple of kills from Charlton and Marlee Ervin weren't enough as the Tritons took the frame 25-9.

In the fourth, a balanced attack from Carissa Richie, Zibecchi, and Spasojevic propelled Southern Utah to an early 16-10 lead. After a furious comeback from the Tritons tied the set at 18 apiece, SUU responded by taking advantage of attack errors to send the frame to extras and ultimately take it 28-26. 

After a point-to-point start tied the fifth 2-2, UCSD switched sides on a 6-2 run to make the score 8-4. A furious rally led by Zibecchi put them within two, but that was the closest they got as San Diego would go on to claim the set 15-9 and win the match. 

Up Next

The Thunderbirds will open home play this weekend as they will host the Southern Utah Tournament at the America First Event Center. Their first match will be on Friday, Sept. 6 against the University of Idaho at 1 p.m. MT before wrapping up the day against the University of California Riverside at 6 p.m. MT.

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