Finishing a two-match Texas road trip, the SUU volleyball team dropped a five-set match to Abilene Christian on Saturday afternoon.
Set one began with an early 8-4 lead for Abilene Christian. The T-birds battled back, however, using a 7-2 spurt to take their first lead of the match, 11-10. The lead did not last long though, as the Wildcats used a 4-0 run to get ahead 14-11 and never looked back. Southern Utah kept it close, but ACU was able to pull away for a 25-21 set win and a 1-0 match advantage.
The second set was a close one from the start, as the two sides were even through 18 points (9-9). A 5-0 Wildcats run made the score 14-9, but a 7-2 answer from the T-birds evened the score once again (16-16). ACU pushed back in front moments later (20-19), and SUU responded to lead 24-23 late. Despite the late SUU lead, the Wildcats notched the final three points to win the set 26-24 and take a 2-0 lead.
With their backs against the wall, Southern Utah responded with a solid third set to cut the deficit to 2-1. The Thunderbirds led the entire set aside from the first two points, pushing their lead to as many as 10 (22-12) before securing a 25-17 set win.
Set four was similar to the previous set, as the T-birds ran out to an early 9-4 lead. Abilene Christian cut the deficit down to two (18-16), but SUU would use a 5-1 spurt to push its advantage to six (23-17). The T-birds were able to close out the set from there, winning 25-20 and forcing a decisive fifth set.
Southern Utah recorded the first point of the final set, but it was all Wildcats from there. SUU was able to keep it within one (6-5), but ACU pulled away to win the set 15-8 and take the match 3-2.
Teniyah Leuluai recorded 52 assists in the defeat for the T-birds, while freshman Marlee Ervin added a career-high 14 kills.
Up next
SUU (10-15, 6-8 WAC) returns to Cedar City for a Senior Day matchup with first-place UT Arlington.
The T-birds and Mavericks will face off on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. The match can be seen on ESPN+.
