Debuting a new head coach, Danielle Jensen and the Southern Utah University women’s volleyball team opened their season in Ogden, Utah. SUU faced the University of California, Irvine, University of Nevada, Reno and Weber State University.
SUU struggled, losing all three games, starting the season 0-3.
Game one
The T-Birds opened up against UC Irvine and struggled early. UC Irvine held the lead for the majority of the first set, including ending on an 8-2 run to give the Anteaters the 25-15 win in set one.
SUU battled in set two, not going down without a fight. The T-Birds held a small 18-17 lead off back-to-back kills from Amaya Tobias and Victoria Zibecchi. Kendra McDonald responded well for UC Irvine, recording four kills in the final moments and helping UC Irvine take set two, 25-22.
Set three was back-and-forth to begin with, as it was all knotted up at eight. The Anteaters then went on a heater, hitting a 14-2 run and taking over the match. UC Irvine would go on to win 25-13 and win the game in three sets.
Game two
Facing off against Nevada, SUU came out strong in sets one and two. Tied at 22 late in the first set, SUU capitalized on two errors from the Wolf Pack, winning 26-24. In set two, Aija Hughes and Zibecchi combined for seven kills, helping SUU win the set 25-20.
Down two sets to zero, Nevada battled, making it tough on SUU. The Wolfpack held a slight 23-21 lead when Jess Walkenhorst recorded a kill and followed it up with a service ace to end the set 25-21.
In set’s four and five it was all Nevada. The Wolf Pack got out to an early 10-3 lead and never looked back. Nevada dominated, winning 25-8 and forcing a fifth set.
Momentum favored Nevada in set five as they continued to take control of the match. Despite SUU getting out to an early 3-1 lead, Nevada finished strong, winning 15-8 in the fifth set and completing the 2-0 comeback.
Game three
Facing off against Weber State in game three, it was the Wildcats that took over. Weber State went on a 13-2 run in the middle of set one to win 25-8.
SUU kept things close in the beginning of set two off a pair of kills from Kaitlyn Aleshire. Despite that, Weber State held a small 15-13 lead. The Wildcats would then go on a 7-1 run to end the set and win 25-16.
In set three, it was more of the same for Weber State. The Wildcats were in control from the first serve and won the final set 25-14. With the three losses, SUU falls to 0-3 on the season.
What’s next?
Southern Utah will host their home opener starting on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 6:30 p.m. The T-Birds will compete in a three-game tournament spanning over three days. All games will be played in the America First Event Center and can be streamed live on ESPN+.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Heather Turner
