The Southern Utah University women’s volleyball team hosted two home games this week on Thursday, Oct. 10, and Saturday, Oct. 12. SUU handled California Baptist University in a 3-0 win, but fell in a tough five-set battle against Grand Canyon University.
Game one
The Thunderbirds started fast, scoring the first five points of the match. They carried that momentum through most of the set and led 18-13 after stopping a 3-0 run by the Lancers. CBU stayed on the attack and cut their deficit to two points, yet a kill from Finley Charapata and a California Baptist error secured the set for the Thunderbirds 25-21.
Both teams struggled to hold momentum in the second set with SUU leading 15-14 halfway through. After tying the game at 18 points, the Thunderbirds got the biggest lead off a 4-0 scoring run. The Lancers fought back, but Andrea Spasojevic and Carissa Richie finished the job to give the Thunderbirds the 25-20 win.
Southern Utah dominated the third set. The Lancers stayed in the game early on with a game score of 8-3 in SUU’s favor, but could not get stops on defense. SUU scored 12 straight points to close the game bringing the final score to 25-6, securing the Thunderbird’s 3-0 victory.
Game two
Set number one was a battle, and saw many shifts in momentum. The Lopes opened the game with a 4-0 run, which the Thunderbirds responded to by scoring six of the next eight to tie the set. GCU then went on a 5-0 run, but couldn’t stop Southern Utah, leaving the scoring a 15-14 in favor of the Thunderbirds. The scoring runs continued, but Molly McDermott put an end to the set, giving the Thunderbirds a 25-21 win.
GCU made a statement to start the second set, going up 15-5 at the half. However, the Thunderbirds did not give up, scoring 10 of the next 12 points, cutting the deficit to two. Ultimately, the Lopes won the set 25-22 with a 3-0 scoring run to tie the game 1-1.
Grand Canyon also opened the third set strong, up 16-8 before a timeout. Southern Utah fought back but could not gain any ground. Just as the Thunderbirds were getting momentum, the Lopes ended the set, earning them a 25-19 win and going up 2-1 in the game.
The fourth set was another close battle. Each team went on scoring runs, unable to get much separation. The Thunderbirds were looking strong with a 19-14 lead but Grand Canyon did not give up, scoring three straight points. SUU then took back the lead with a score of 23-20. Kennady Charlton and Victoria Zibecchi got the last two kills and gave their team a 25-21 win.
The final set started with scoring runs on both sides, leaving the score at a 6-6 tie early on. Grand Canyon kept attacking, scoring five of the next six points to go up 13-8. The Thunderbirds tried to make one last comeback, but it wasn’t enough as the Lopes took the fifth set 15-11, giving them the 3-2 victory.
What’s next?
Southern Utah will head on the road for their next game against Seattle University on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. This game can be streamed on ESPN+.
Author: Jacob McQueary
Photographer: Gannon Lovisa
Editor: Jack Paul
