CEDAR CITY, UTAH - The Cal State Fullerton Titans women's volleyball finished off their 4-game road trip to start the season with a 3-2 five setter victory over the Southern Utah Thunderbirds.
The Titans move to 2-2 on the season while the Thunderbirds move to 0-4 on the season.
The Titans had three players in double digits in kills as Lyla Traylor (13), Julia Crawford (12), and Danielle Jefferies (10). Elizabeth Schuster had 42 assists for the game. Nadia Koanui (18), Crawford (14), Schuster (14), and Lyla Traylor (11) all had double digits in digs. The Titans had 16 blocks with Bianca Martinez leading the squad with 6 of them.
S1 | The Titans jump to an early 14-8 lead in the first! Bianca Martinez already with three blocks in the game#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/s1LIjWngmB
— Titans Volleyball (@Fullerton_WVB) September 3, 2022
The Titans led from start to finish in the first set as they started the match on a 4-0 run. They got to a 17-10 lead for the biggest lead in the first set. The Thunderbirds would pull within three but the Titans were able to close out the set at 25-19. Bianca Martinez had three blocks in the first set while Lyla Traylor led the Titan attack with five kills including the set clincher in the first
Traylor gets the kill and the Titans take the first set 25-19!#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/Tcwamm7pmp
— Titans Volleyball (@Fullerton_WVB) September 3, 2022
It looked like everything was going well for the Titans in the second set as they took a commanding lead since being tied at 1-1 in the beginning. They took a commanding 17-9 lead in the second set before things went off the rails in set. The Thunderbirds battled back to tie the game at 19-19 and eventually took a 24-20 lead. Dominique Velarde somehow served the Titans out of trouble to tie the game at 24-24. The Titans battled out of six set points to take the second set, 28-26.
S2 | The Titans stave off six set points in the second set and battle back to take it, 28-26!#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/5wf46bPrXj
— Titans Volleyball (@Fullerton_WVB) September 3, 2022
The Titans came out swinging in the third set and led 12-3 to start the set. However, much like the previous set, the Thunderbirds rallied back into the match and tied at 15-15. Southern Utah would end up taking the third set 25-20.
In the fourth set, the Thunderbirds were the side with momentum and took an early lead. The Titans were able to tie at 13-13 before Southern Utah slowly increased their lead. They held a 23-17 lead over the Titans before Fullerton rattled off four straight points but the gap was too large to overcome and the Thunderbirds took the fourth set 25-22.
In the fifth set, the Titans pulled ahead early with an 8-4 lead. They stretched it to six points and this time were able to hold onto the lead and close out the set over the Thunderbirds at 15-8.
GAME. SET. MATCH! The Titans prevail in the fifth and final set over Southern Utah! (25-19, 28-26, 20-25, 22-25, 15-8)#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/AWshaNaE3K
— Titans Volleyball (@Fullerton_WVB) September 3, 2022
The Titans return home to Titan Gym for their home opener against Gonzaga on Friday, September 9th. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m.
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