The Southern Utah University women’s volleyball team was victorious over the University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks on Thursday, Nov. 13, but fell to Tarleton State University on Saturday, Nov. 15, in a home finale series.
The Thunderbirds finish the regular season at 3-20 overall and 2-10 in conference play. UTA fell to 11-13 and 3-9 in conference, while the Texans climbed to 15-9 and 9-3 in conference matchups.
Game one
The match began with back-and-forth points before the Thunderbirds gained control with back-to-back kills from junior Addyson McArthur. A late-set service ace from Amanda Mendoza helped SUU secure the first set 25-21.
SUU continued its momentum in the second set with Amaya Tobias and McArthur adding kills to obtain an early lead. The T-Birds closed the set strongly with a McArthur ace and a Victoria Zibecchi kill for a 25-20 win in set two.
UT Arlington made their presence felt quickly in set three, riding an offensive high to go up 8-3. Despite two straight kills by McArthur, the Mavericks sailed to a 25-18 set win and stayed alive.
The Thunderbirds decided it was time to call game in set four. Kaitlyn Aleshire, McArthur, and Zibecchi combined for 12 kills in the set. Despite a late rally from UT Arlington, Tobias’s two kills helped secure a 25-19 set win and a 3-1 match victory for SUU.
Top T-Birds
— McArthur had a standout showing, leading SUU with 16 kills and three service aces. She also totaled seven digs.
— Asya Akbulut was a leader on offense with 26 assists.
— Aleeya Jones stood as a defensive standout with a team-high 10 digs.
— Aleshire created a wall at the net, recording five blocks.
Game two
Southern Utah played with passion on senior day. Tarleton State came out hot, but SUU rallied back with kills from Kaitlyn Hoelker and McArthur to tie up the first set. SUU would then go on a 5-0 run to clinch set one 25-22.
Set two was extremely close, with the Thunderbirds scoring seven of the last nine points, led by kills from Hoelker, Zibecchi, and Tobias to take the set 25-19.
The third set began tight like set two, with kills from McArthur and Aleshire leading SUU to a 9-7 lead. The Texans then went on a streak, taking seven of the last nine points to survive and take set three 26-24.
Tarleton State stayed hot in set four, getting out to a 9-4 lead. Zibecchi and Aleshire attempted to get SUU back into the set with kills, but couldn’t take the lead after tying it up at 20. TSU took the fourth set 25-23.
The T-Birds started the fifth set hot before a back-and-forth battle. SUU suffered three service errors, ultimately leading to a 12-15 set five loss and a Texans reverse-sweep.
Top T-Birds
— Zibecchi shone on her senior day, leading all players with a season-high 19 kills.
— Akbulut led the offense yet again with another season-high of 41 assists.
— Jones had yet another remarkable defensive performance on her senior day with a team and season-high 25 digs.
— Aleshire held her own at the net once more with four blocks.
Up next
SUU will travel to the Western Athletic Conference tournament in Abilene, Texas. They are slated to face Utah Tech University in Match two on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 3 p.m.
Author: Kendall McGuire
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Jack Paul
