Thunderbird volleyball opened the season over the weekend, dropping three matches at the San Diego Invitational.
Here is a recap of SUU volleyball’s matches from Friday and Saturday as the season got underway.
Friday vs. Northern Arizona
NAU jumped ahead in the first set, taking a 20-8 lead. While the T-birds split the next six points with the Lumberjacks, NAU took the final pair of points to claim the first set, 25-11.
SUU took an early 3-2 lead in set two, but an 8-1 run by Northern Arizona made the score 10-4. A late 6-1 run by the Thunderbirds was too little, too late, as the Lumberjacks took the set 25-11 and a 2-0 lead in the match.
Set number three saw another solid start from SUU, with the T-birds taking a 7-6 lead after capitalizing on multiple NAU miscues. The set was back and forth from there, with Southern Utah taking a 17-14 lead before a 7-1 spurt put the T-birds ahead 24-15. The Lumberjacks responded with a pair of points to cut the deficit to seven, but Southern Utah wrapped up the set with the final point to win, 25-17.
With NAU leading the match 2-1 entering the fourth set, the two sides once again started the set close, splitting the first six points. It was all Lumberjacks from there, however, as an 11-4 run led the way for a 25-13 set win and a 3-1 match victory.
Teniyah Leulaui performed admirably in the opening match for the T-birds, notching 22 assists. Calli Johnson led the squad with 12 digs, while Finley Charapata added a team-high 8 kills.
Friday vs. Gonzaga
The opening set between the two teams was close to begin with, as the Bulldogs led 10-8 before Gonzaga took 9 of the next 13 points to jump ahead 19-12. SUU continued to fight but weren’t able to get closer than four points, and Gonzaga took the opening set, 25-20.
Set number two was even closer than the first, as the sides went back and forth until the score was knotted up at 23 apiece. After the teams split the next four points to make it 25 all, Gonzaga rallied to score the final two and take the set 27-25 and a 2-0 match lead.
The Bulldogs finished off the T-birds in set three, taking an early 8-4 lead. While SUU notched the next two points, it was as close as they would get for the remainder of the set. Using a pair of 5-0 runs, Gonzaga pulled away to take the set 25-15 and sweep the match.
Teniyah Leulaui once again led the Thunderbirds in assists, tallying 18 in the match. Victoria Zibecchi added 9 kills in the defeat.
Saturday vs. UC San Diego
Wrapping up the final match of the San Diego Invitational, the T-birds battled hard but fell in five sets to the Tritons.
The first set was a back-and-forth affair, with the two sides even at 13 after 26 points. UC San Diego found its momentum, however, using runs of 5-0 and 4-0 to take set one, 25-19.
Trailing 20-12 in the second set, SUU went on a run to come from behind and even the match. A 5-1 run saw the T-birds cut the deficit to four before the Tritons went ahead 23-18. Just two points away from a set defeat, Southern Utah responded with an 8-1 spurt to take the set 26-24 and even the match at 1-1.
After splitting the first four points in set three, UC San Diego broke away using a 12-3 run to take a 15-5 lead. The hole was too big for SUU to climb out of, as the home team cruised to a 25-9 set victory and a 2-1 match advantage.
Facing defeat, the T-birds responded in the fourth set by storming out to a 16-10 lead. While the Tritons battled back to tie up the score at 18, SUU edged out the home side 28-26 to tie the match at 2-2 and force a deciding fifth set.
After another early 2-2 tie in set five, UC San Diego took six of the next eight points to lead 8-4. The T-birds were able to get the score within two, but the Tritons finished off the set to win 15-9 and claim the 3-2 match victory.
Teniyah Leuluai once again impressed for Southern Utah, registering 36 assists in the match. Arianna Rossi ended the game with 19 digs, while Victoria Zibecchi racked up 15 kills.
Up next
Southern Utah (0-3) now opens up its home schedule next, playing a pair of matches on Friday, September 6, and one on Saturday, September 7.
The T-birds will first face the University of Idaho on Friday at 1 p.m. MT before battling UC Riverside at 6 p.m. MT later that day. SUU will then tangle with the Idaho Vandals once again on Saturday at 11 a.m. MT to wrap up the three-match homestand.
All three of the upcoming matches can be streamed via ESPN+.
