ABILENE, Texas — Southern Utah volleyball (3-21, 2-10 WAC) fell to Utah Tech (20-5, 10-2 WAC) 3-1. The Thunderbirds came out hot in the first set, but Utah Tech would make necessary adjustments and Southern Utah wasn't able to minimize its errors throughout the match.
Match Recap
Southern Utah came out firing with an early 10-4 lead behind kills from Kaitlyn Aleshire, Kaitlyn Hoelker and Victoria Zibecchi, as well as a service ace by Addyson McArthur. Utah Tech closed the gap, but three straight kills from Zibecchi kept the Trailblazers at bay. Swayzee Mason recorded an ace to extend the Thunderbirds' lead to 19-14. Utah Tech clawed its way back again, but Southern Utah closed the set by taking six of the next nine points, helped by a kill from Ezgi Kucuk and three kills by McArthur, to win the set 25-22.
Utah Tech turned the tide in the second set. Southern Utah kept it close early with a kill by Amaya Tobias that cut the Trailblazers' lead to one, but Utah Tech went on a 12-1 run and comfortably won the set 25-8.
Southern Utah came out focused and reenergized in the third set. Aleeya Jones delivered a service ace to help the Thunderbirds take a 4-3 lead, and the teams stayed close throughout. A late Utah Tech run proved decisive, as the Trailblazers scored six of the final seven points to win the set 25-21.
The Thunderbirds again came out competitive in the fourth set. The middle of Southern Utah's front line shined early as Tobias and Aleshire recorded kills that kept the Thunderbirds within 6-4. Utah Tech's offense wasn't denied, closing out the match with a 6-0 run to take the set 25-13 and win 3-1.
Thunderbirds Standouts
Coach Danielle Jensen Said
"I'm proud of our team and their effort all season. They never gave up and competed every day. Thank you to our seniors and for the mark they will leave on our program."
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