Competing in the Lumberjack Classic, the Southern Utah University women’s volleyball team competed in three different matches on Friday, Sept. 12 and Saturday, Sept. 13. SUU lost to Texas Tech University and Northern Arizona University but earned the win over the University of California, San Diego.
After the series, Southern Utah is now 1-8 on the year and Danielle Jensen has earned her first win as head coach of the SUU women’s volleyball team.
Match one
SUU faced off against Texas Tech for the first of their three games. The first set started close with neither team gaining a big edge. Kaitlyn Hoelker nailed back-to-back kills to tie things up at 22, but three straight points from Texas Tech gave the Red Raiders the 25-22 win in set one.
After another close set, Texas Tech took a commanding 2-0 lead, but Southern Utah didn’t back down. The Thunderbirds held the lead for most of set three and secured the 25-22 win, avoiding the sweep.
In set four, Victoria Zibecchi and Addyson McArthur combined for 10 kills to help SUU force a fifth set. In the final set, the Red Raiders bounced back, getting out to an early 9-3 lead. Despite a late run, Texas Tech won 15-11 and won the match.
Match two
The second of two games on Friday, Sept. 12 was against UC San Diego. The Tritons started hot against the T-Birds. After the set was tied at 13, UC San Diego went on a 9-3 run to secure the 25-21 win.
In set two, it was a closely contested set that went in favor of SUU. The Thunderbirds held a four-point lead for the majority of the set and finished strong, winning 25-20. In set three, the T-Birds got out to an early 14-6 lead and never looked back. Despite a comeback from UC San Diego, SUU won 25-21.
In set four, it was McArthur that came in clutch for SUU. The junior from Colorado Springs, Colorado recorded back-to-back kills to give SUU the 27-25 win and secure Jensen’s first win as head coach.
Match three
Facing off against host school Northern Arizona, Southern Utah struggled. Northern Arizona dominated with four service aces and won the set 25-15.
Set two was much closer as both teams couldn’t gain a big advantage. Zibecchi tied things up at 19 with a kill, but NAU bounced back. The Lumberjacks went on a 6-1 run to finish off the set and take a 2-0 lead.
Looking to complete the sweep, NAU went on a quick 6-3 lead early. SUU didn’t go down without a fight though, tying things up at 12. Northern Arizona bounced back going on a 6-2 run, eventually leading to the 25-19 win and completing the 3-0 sweep.
What’s next?
Southern Utah will face off against the University of California, Riverside on Friday, Sept. 19 and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 20. Both games will be played in Las Vegas.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Jack Paul
