Hosting their first home games of the season, the Southern Utah University women’s volleyball team hosted three different teams over a three-day tournament. SUU first played University of California, Riverside on Sept. 4, Sacramento State University on Sept. 5, and Charleston Southern University on Sept. 6.
SUU struggled, losing all three games and dropping to 0-6 on the year.
Game one
To open up game one of the tournament, SUU faced UC Riverside. The Thunderbirds put up a valiant fight, but after five sets they were unable to hold off the Highlanders and fell in a 2-3 defeat. Despite the loss, the birds showed out at the America First Event Center and played their hearts out in front of the home crowd.
The first set was a close call, SUU showed determination as they put points on the board quickly, but weren’t able to reach 25 before the Highlander offense. However, Southern Utah fought back in the second set and it ended 25-21. The roles reversed in the third set, with Riverside winning the third set 25-21.
Determined to stop the Highlanders from winning, SUU came back strong and won the fourth set 25-15. With each team having two set wins, everyone was on the edge of their seats waiting to see who was going to take home the win. After a nail biting fifth set, the Thunderbirds were unable to defeat UC Riverside and it ended 15-10.
Game two
In the second of three matches SUU hosted, the T-Birds faced off against Sacramento State. It was all Hornets from the first set as Sacramento State dominated. SSU got out to an early 14-6 lead and won the first set 25-17.
In set two, sophomore outside hitter Victoria Marthaler was all over the place for Sacramento State. Marthaler recorded seven kills and one block. SUU struggled to stay in the set, falling 25-17.
Trying to avoid getting swept, SUU kept things close early. The score was tied up at 16 as Victoria Zibecchi recorded four kills early. The Hornets would then go on a 9-4 run to finish the set and complete the three-game sweep.
Game three
Looking to come out of the tournament with a win, SUU faced off against Charleston Southern in the final of three games. Set one brought a lot of action and back and forth play from both teams.
Southern Utah found themselves up 24-22 needing just one more point to win the first set. SUU would then commit three attacking errors and then a kill from Sophia Klusha secured the 26-24 win for CSU.
Southern Utah bounced back in sets two and three showing more consistency and control. SUU had four different girls record two kills in set two leading to the 25-20 win. In set three SUU was led by Addyson McArthur. The junior from Colorado Springs, Colorado recorded five kills and gave SUU the 25-21 win.
In set four it was close but Charleston Southern was able to snag the 25-21 win and force a fifth set. With the score tied at 6, CSU took over, going on a 9-1 run and securing the 15-7 win.
Author: Jack Paul, Lexie Nelson
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Jack Paul
