Wrapping up a four-match road swing, the T-birds fell in four sets to Grand Canyon on Saturday afternoon.
The first set began with GCU grabbing a 10-5 lead, but SUU’s 6-0 response gave the visitors their first advantage (11-10). The remainder of the set was close, with the two teams tied at 24 late. Grand Canyon would snag the final two points, however, claiming the set 26-24 and taking a 1-0 match lead.
Set two began much like the first, with the Lopes jumping out to a 7-3 advantage. The T-birds cut the deficit to two (10-8) but couldn’t close the gap further. Using three separate 3-0 runs, Grand Canyon broke away to win the set 25-14 and take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Southern Utah football defeats West Georgia, reaches .500 mark
The Lopes took an early lead in set three, getting ahead 8-4. SUU responded by taking a 12-11 lead, extending its lead to three (15-12) moments later. A 5-0 GCU run put the home team back in front (17-15), but a quick 5-1 SUU response made the score 20-18. Grand Canyon cut the T-birds’ lead to one, but the visitors tallied three of the final four points to win the set 25-22 and cut the match deficit to 2-1.
Set four began similar to the first three, as GCU once again took an early lead (13-8). SUU cut the home side’s lead down to three (14-11), but that was as close as the set would get. The Lopes would close out the set, winning 25-19 and securing a 3-1 match victory.
Teniyah Leuluai led the T-birds in defeat, totaling 39 assists. Victoria Zibecchi led the team in kills, notching a season-high 16.
Up next
SUU (8-13, 4-6 WAC) returns home for a pair of matches looking to end a five-match slide.
First, the T-birds will face in-state foe Utah Valley on Thursday, Oct. 31 at 6:30 p.m. MT. The match can be seen on ESPN+.
