The Southern Utah University women’s volleyball team played their final two games of the regular season on Thursday, Nov. 14, and Saturday, Nov. 16, against the University of Texas at Arlington and Utah Valley University. The Thunderbirds lost 1-3 to the Mavericks and 0-3 to the Wolverines, falling to 6-10 in the Western Athletic Conference.
Game one
Neither team was able to create separation at the beginning of the first set. The Mavericks continued to lead despite the Thunderbirds’ fighting effort. The Mavericks gained some rhythm to earn a six-point lead. Southern Utah brought the match to within three points in one last run, but the Mavericks were able to finish the set, winning 25-21.
The second set looked similar to the first, with both teams struggling to gain a big lead. The Mavericks held a small lead until a big block from Carissa Richie tied the game at 10. The hard-fought clash continued for several points, and Southern Utah found itself down 18-21.
Very quickly, the score was 24-22 in favor of UT Arlington. The Thunderbirds did not give up and scored four straight points, with Kennady Charlton getting the final kill and winning the set 26-24.
Coming out of the break, the Thunderbirds were looking to hold their momentum. They continued to fight, and midway through the match, they were only down one point. Then, two five-point runs by the Mavericks created a tough deficit for Southern Utah, leading the Mavericks to take the third set 25-14.
UT Arlington maintained momentum to start the fourth, quickly building a 9-3 lead. This quickly turned into a 16-7 lead. While the Thunderbirds fought hard, the Mavericks lead was too large to overcome, allowing UT Arlington to close out the match, winning the fourth set 25-14 in a 3-1 victory.
Game two
Both teams showed strength early in the first, with the lead changing almost every other point. At the halfway point, UVU held a small 16-14 lead but then scored five quick points to earn the biggest lead of the set. The Thunderbirds put up a couple more points but lost the set 16-25.
In the next set, the Wolverines stormed out to a 10-4 lead. Southern Utah fought back with a four-point run led by Finely Charapata to cut the deficit to two points. The two teams fought back-and-forth with small runs. A little past the halfway point, SUU was down 15-18, but UVU was not pressured as they went on a 5-1 run. They got their last two points off of Thunderbird errors. They won the set 25-17.
The last set was very competitive. Southern Utah refused to give up and pushed their way to a 15-11 lead midway through. The Wolverines fiercely responded, but Andrea Spasojevic provided the Thunderbirds with a few more points to hold on to their lead. The set was tied at 17, then UVU went on a 4-0 run. Down 20-24, the Thunderbirds made one last push, getting two points. However, Avery Shewell sealed the game, giving Utah Valley a 25-22 win in their 3-0 victory.
What’s next?
Southern Utah will compete in the WAC Tournament starting Thursday, November 21, in Arlington, Texas.
Author: Jacob McQueary
Photographer: Gannon Lovisa
Editor: Jack Paul
