Beginning the 2023 season at the Bakersfield Tournament, SUU volleyball picked up a pair of wins on the first day of the event against Providence and Eastern Washington.
Match 1 vs. Providence
The T-birds started off the first set against Providence hot out of the gate, taking an early 8-3 lead. The Friars battled back, scoring seven of the following 11 points, trimming the SUU lead to just one (11-10). Southern Utah then claimed eight of the next 11 points, taking a 19-13 lead in route to a 25-21 first-set victory.
The second set was back and forth the entire way, with the two teams knotted at 23-23. It would be the Friars that broke the tie, notching three of four points to win the set, 26-24.
With the match even at 1-1, the T-birds started the third set on a run as they looked to gain an advantage. SUU led 6-1 early before Providence responded to cut the deficit to just 13-10. The T-birds then tallied seven of the next 10 points, pushing their advantage to 20-13. SUU would close out the final points and claim the set, 25-17.
With a 2-1 lead heading into the fourth set, Southern Utah found themselves behind 13-10 to the Friars midway through the frame. The T-birds were able to fight back to tie the score at 14-14, before an 8-1 stretch put them ahead, 22-15. SUU put the finishing touches on the set to claim a 25-18 victory, and the match 3-1.
Match 2 vs. Eastern Washington
The first set against the Eagles was back-and-forth early, with the two sides even at 7-7. SUU was able to jump ahead, however, building a 15-11 lead before wrapping up set one with a 25-19 win.
The second set was once again a close affair, with the two teams tied at 22-22 late. Eastern Washington was able to break the deadlock, pulling away to win the set 25-23.
SUU responded after losing the second set with a solid start to set three. The T-birds led 8-3 early, before extending the lead to 16-8. The Eagles were able to cut Southern Utah’s lead to just four (21-17), but the T-birds held them off for a 25-17 set win and a 2-1 match advantage.
It appeared SUU would take the fourth set after jumping out to an 11-5 lead. Eastern Washington responded though, notching nine straight points to go ahead 14-11. The two teams battled to a 22-22 tie before the Eagles edged SUU in the end 26-24 to take the set and even the match at 2-2.
In the winner-take-all set, it was the T-birds who took an early 4-0 lead. Eastern Washington took three of the next four points to make the score 5-3, but they never got any closer. SUU ended the set on a 10-4 stretch to take the set 15-7 and win the match 3-2.
Up next
SUU (2-0) now faces tournament host Cal State Bakersfield next.
The T-birds and Roadrunners will battle on Saturday, Aug. 26 at 5 p.m. MT.
