Taking on third-seeded Utah Valley in the WAC Tournament quarterfinals, sixth-seeded SUU lost in four sets, ending their season on Thursday.
The first set was back-and-forth, as neither team could create much distance. SUU led early, but the Wolverines battled back to take the lead. The T-birds scored a few points to make it a 19-19 tie, and Southern Utah would get ahead by two points moments later (21-19). UVU answered with three straight points to make it 22-21, and the Wolverines were able to hold off SUU to win the set 25-23 and take a 1-0 match lead.
Set two was also tight, with the Thunderbirds taking an early 7-4 lead. SUU was able to push its lead up to five, but a Utah Valley timeout changed the momentum, as they answered with a 5-0 run. The T-birds responded with three straight points to take a 19-16 lead, which held until the end of the set. Southern Utah would close it out to win the set 25-21 and even the match at 1-1.
The T-birds once again jumped out to an early lead in set three, but the Wolverines answered quickly to get ahead by three (9-6). SUU fought back to get within two (20-18) and eventually came back to tie the set at 23. With the set on the line, UVU notched the final two points to win 25-23 and take a 2-1 match advantage.
Set four was close early, as the two teams remained tied through 10 points (5-5). The Wolverines tallied the next four points to make it 9-5, but the T-birds quickly cut the deficit back to one with three quick points (9-8). Utah Valley had yet another answer, compiling a 6-1 spurt to push its lead to six (15-9). Southern Utah continued to battle, cutting the UVU lead down to three (20-17), but would not get any closer. The Wolverines ended the set scoring five straight points, winning the set 25-17 and taking the match 3-1.
Teniyah Leuluai led the T-birds in assists in the match, totaling 43. Finley Charapata added a team-high 18 kills.
Season notes
SUU ends the season with a 10-18 overall record, its first campaign with double-digit victories since 2019. The T-birds also returned to the WAC Tournament after a one-year absence in 2023.
The Western Athletic Conference also announced its postseason awards on Wednesday, and a pair of T-birds were honored.
Outside hitters Finley Charapata and Marlee Ervin were both named to the 2024 WAC All-Freshman Team.
