Taking on Cal Baptist at home, the SUU volleyball team improved to 4-1 in WAC play with a convincing victory Thursday night.
The T-birds got off to a quick start in set one, jumping out to a 5-0 advantage. Cal Baptist quickly cut the deficit to three (6-3), but SUU responded by tallying seven of the next nine points to make it 13-5. The Lancers later cut the home team’s lead to four (17-13), but the Thunderbirds pushed it back to seven later in the set (23-16). While it seemed like the set was nearly over, Cal Baptist answered with five straight points to make it 23-21. The run ended there, however, as Southern Utah recorded the final two points of the frame to win 25-21 and take a 1-0 match lead.
SUU once again took an early lead in the second set, running out to an 8-3 lead. The Lancers kept it close though, eventually taking their first lead of the set (13-12) after chipping away at the home side’s advantage. The set was back and forth from there, as the teams were tied after 36 points (18-18). Southern Utah then scored the next four points, regaining the lead they had lost earlier to make it 22-18. Cal Baptist got within three (23-20), but the Thunderbirds notched the final two points to claim the set 25-20 and take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Leading 2-0, SUU dominated the third set to claim a sweep. The T-birds scored the first six points of the frame, and the Lancers never got closer than five (8-3). Southern Utah ended the set on a 12-0 run, winning the set 25-6 and the match 3-0.
Teniyah Leuluai led the T-birds in assists, notching 20 in the win. Finley Charapata led the way in kills (12), while Andrea Spasojevic recorded a remarkable seven service aces.
Up next
Southern Utah (8-8, 4-1 WAC) wraps up a three-match homestand on Saturday, October 12 versus Grand Canyon.
The match will begin at 7 p.m. MT and can be seen on ESPN+.
