Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Southern Utah
Wildcats come up short in Big Sky, home opener
9/15/2012 4:38:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
OGDEN, Utah - A solid start got away from the Wildcats on Friday night, and with it their Big Sky Conference opener.
Despite a career high-tying 18 kills from redshirt freshman outside hitter Rebecca Fuchs, the Weber State University women's volleyball team dropped a 25-22, 21-25, 25-21, 25-16 decision to in-state rival Southern Utah on Friday night at Swenson Gym.
The loss dropped the Wildcats to 0-1 in Big Sky Conference action, 6-6 overall and ended WSU's four-match winning streak. The Thunderbirds improved to 1-0 in their Big Sky debut, 4-7 overall.
Fuchs had a career-high 53 attacks, hitting .160, with four digs and a pair of blocks. Redshirt freshman Mariah Katoa had a career-high 14 kills and two blocks.
Senior setter Caitlin Penrod had 38 assists, seven digs and a pair of blocks, while senior libero Laurel Bodily had 20 digs.
Weber State stormed out to a 10-2 lead in the opening set, riding the heightened emotions of making their home debut, and carried the lead until Southern Utah tied the set at 19-all, and then went ahead 20-19.
The Wildcats quickly rebounded with three straight points to take a 22-20 lead, but the Thunderbirds rallied to score the final five points and steal the set.
Southern Utah scored the first five points of the second set, but Weber State came charging back to take a 20-18 lead. SUU tied the set at 20-20, but WSU scored five of the last six points to level the match at one set each heading into the intermission.
The Thunderbirds again got off to a hot start in the third set, leading 7-3, and carried the advantage throughout the set.
Needing to capture the four set to keep the match going, Weber State scored the first point of the set, but Southern Utah scored seven straight to take a 7-1 lead and the Wildcats were unable to cut into it any further.
Weber State will return to action on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. when it takes on Northern Arizona. The Lumberjacks fell 3-1 to Idaho State on Friday night in Pocatello, Idaho.
