With just four matches remaining in the regular season, the SUU volleyball team defeated Tarleton State in five sets on Thursday evening.
The start of set one was back-and-forth, as the two sides were even through 20 points (10-10). A 5-1 spurt put Tarleton State ahead 15-11, but the T-birds kept it close, cutting the deficit to two (17-15). SUU used a 6-1 run to jump ahead late (21-18), but a quick 3-0 answer from the Texans evened the score at 21. A 3-0 response from Southern Utah put them back in front 24-21, and the visitors held on for a 25-23 set win and a 1-0 match lead.
SUU jumped out to a 5-3 advantage in set two, extending its lead to five just moments later (11-6). The T-birds stayed in front for most of the set, making it 17-14 before Tarleton answered with three points to even the score at 17 all. The two teams remained deadlocked through 44 points (22-22), but the Thunderbirds used a 3-1 run to close the set out to win 25-23 and take a 2-0 match lead.
The third set was close throughout, as the score was even through 36 points (18-18). With their backs against the wall, the Texans dug deep for a 7-1 run to win the set 25-19 and cut the SUU match lead to 2-1.
Southern Utah opened set four with a slim lead (7-6), but another 7-1 spurt from Tarleton State put the home team ahead 13-8. The T-birds weren’t able to get any closer than four from there (13-9), and Tarleton closed out the set for a 25-18 win to tie the match at 2-2.
In the deciding fifth set, Southern Utah ran out to a 7-2 lead. The Texans battled back to cut the SUU lead to two (9-7), but a 3-0 run from the visitors pushed the lead back to five (12-7). Tarleton State once again cut the advantage to two (12-10), but the T-birds tallied three of the final four points to win the set 15-11 and win the match 3-2.
Teniyah Leuluai recorded 47 assists in the victory, while Victoria Zibecchi added a team-high 16 kills.
Up next
Southern Utah (10-14, 6-7 WAC) remains in Texas for its next match, taking on Abilene Christian.
The T-birds and Wildcats will battle on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 10 a.m. MT. The match will be broadcast on ESPN+.
SUU football comeback bid falls short in defeat to Abilene Christian
