Cedar City, UT - Southern Utah volleyball (2-12, 1-2) picked up its first conference win of the season in a five-set classic against California Baptist (5-11, 1-3). The win is not only the 'Thunderbirds' first WAC conference win of the season, but also the first five-set match in which the Thunderbirds have come out on top victorious.
Game Recap
Southern Utah came out on fire in the first, jumping out to a commanding lead behind the service of Aleeya Jones, who recorded four consecutive aces to fuel an early 8-2 Thunderbirds lead. SUU continued to apply pressure as Swayzee Mason and Amanda Mendoza each added aces of their own, and Addyson McArthur and Kaitlyn Hoelker supported the attack at the net. The Thunderbirds' flawless play saw them win the set 25-13.
The Thunderbirds continued to carry their momentum into the second set, overcoming an early deficit. CBU jumped out to a 3-0 lead, and the Thunderbirds changed the momentum in their favor. Asya Akbulut was a force setting the ball, and Victoria Zibechhi and Kaitlyn Hoelker recorded timely kills to pull even in the set. Addyson McArthur and Amaya Tobias would soon become a defensive force, each recording key blocks and helping to slow down the CBU attack. The Thunderbirds capitalized on a Lancer error down the stretch, and a CBU service error sealed the set 25-23 in favor of Southern Utah.
California Baptist extended the match in a hard-fought third set, edging out the Thunderbirds 25-23. The Thunderbirds and Lancers traded points early, but ultimately the Lancers would take a mid-set lead behind a slate of attack errors by Southern Utah. Clutch kills from Hughes and McArthur would tie the score late. A late push from the Lancers would hold off the Thunderbirds' rally, forcing a fourth set.
CBU controlled the fourth set from the midway point on, closing out the set with a 25-15 win. Southern Utah would keep things tight early on with kills from Zibecchi and McArthur, and Mason and Tobias would help keep the Thunderbirds within reach. A late CBU run would feature several kills and a service ace to break the set open, and SUU couldn't slow down the Lancers' momentum.
Southern Utah would shift the Lancers' momentum in their own favor in the fifth set. Hoelker would record a kill assisted by Akbulut, and Lancers' errors would then ensue. Three consecutive CBU errors saw Southern Utah take a 6-3 lead. The Thunderbirds and Lancers would trade points until, ultimately, Zibbechi provided a timely kill, and Jones recorded a service ace to help the Thunderbirds take a 14-10 lead. An attack error on the next serve would push the Thunderbirds to victory in an intense fifth set.
Thunderbirds Standouts
Coach Jensen Said
Up Next
Southern Utah volleyball will travel to Texas to take on Abilene Christian next Thursday, October 9, at 5:00 p.m. MT.
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