The Southern Utah University women’s volleyball kicked off conference play in the Western Athletic Conference against Tarleton State University on Thursday, Sept. 26., and Abilene Christian University on Saturday, Sept. 28. Southern Utah dominated in both matches, sweeping both teams 3-0.
Match vs. Tarleton State
From the tip it was back and forth between Southern Utah and Tarleton going spike for spike and block for block. Both teams were actively seeking to take control of the first set.
The Thunderbirds were able to find a weak spot in the middle of the Texan’s defense, striking it time after time with ease. This ultimately led SUU to a six point win and an end score of 25-19.
Southern Utah’s Victoria Zibecchi, Andrea Spasojevic, and Kennady Charlton dominated on both sides of the ball. Later in the set, Carissa Richie got a perfect set to her and smashed it for the kill shot not once but twice!
The Texans refused to back down and despite giving up the middle, they kept it as tight as possible, never going down more than two points with some impressive play from Emma Halcomb. Momentum seemed to be mounting for the Texans but ultimately came up short losing 24-26 in a tense final rally.
The Thunderbirds came out firing on all cylinders, repeatedly attacking the middle of the Texans defense and jumping out to an early 5-1 lead. Richie came out with some stellar defense at the net. The Texans had small runs but amounted to nothing as SUU ran away with the last set winning in outstanding fashion 25-13.
Match vs. Abilene Christian
The first set was back and forth, with both teams going on multiple runs. Abilene Christian got out to a 15-12 lead with three kills from Bryley Steinhilber. ACU was up 24-23 with a chance to put the set away, but a pair of kills from Finley Charapata and an attack error from Steinhibler gave Southern Utah the 26-24 win.
The Wildcats got out to an early lead in the second set, going up 13-9. ACU had six different women record kills during this span. Richie and Spasojevic responded for the Thunderbirds, giving them the 24-23 lead. Charapata once again finished things off for Southern Utah going up 2-0.
Southern Utah got out to a quick 14-8 start in set three behind the dominant attack of Zibecchi and Richie. Abilene Christian responded with a 8-3 run of their own, closing SUU’s lead to just one.
A trio of Spasojevic kills gave SUU the 24-21 lead and was looking to complete the sweep. Charapata committed an attacking error, giving ACU some life, but responded with a kill to complete the 3-0 sweep.
In 2023, Southern Utah went 2-14 in the WAC. This season, SUU is 2-0 to start conference play. The injury of Ervin will be something to keep an eye on though for Southern Utah as she exited Thursday’s contest against Tarleton State.
What’s next?
Southern Utah is back in action on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 1 p.m., when they host Abilene Christian University. This game will be played in the America First Event Center and can also be streamed on ESPN+.
Author: Preston Ferry
Photographer: Gannon Lovisa
Editor: Jack Paul
