CEDAR CITY, Utah — A critical Big Sky road match went against the Portland State volleyball Thursday, as the Thunderbirds swept the Vikings 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-23) at America First Events Center.
 
The Vikings and Thunderbirds came into the match tied for seventh at 5-7 in Big Sky play, with both teams looking to better their position for the eight-team conference tournament later this month. The Thunderbirds (13-12, 6-7 Big Sky) ended up ahead of the Vikings (9-15, 5-8 Big Sky) after Thursday, as they rode an efficient offensive attack to the win.
 
The Thunderbirds outhit the Vikings .308-to-.187, making them only the second Big Sky opponent to hit over .300 against the Vikings this season.
 
The Thunderbirds were hitting .348 through the first two sets Thursday, before the Viking defense finally started to force some errors at the start of the third set. The Vikings built an 18-12 lead behind six SUU attack errors at the start of the third set, after the Thunderbirds only  had seven errors in the first two sets combined.
 
The Thunderbirds found their groove from there, however, as they finished the match on a 10-3 run that included seven kills without an error.
 
The Vikings fell behind early in the first two sets, and couldn't find a way back into either. The Vikings trailed 11-6 early in the first set, and never got closer than two points the rest of the way. Southern Utah also used a 4-1 run to go up 16-11 in the second set, and led by at least three points the rest of the way.
 
Freshman Jasmine Powell finished a kill away from a double-double with nine kills and 10 digs for the Vikings. Senior Toni McDougald and redshirt sophomore Parker Webb matched Powell with nine kills each against the Thunderbirds.
 
Setters Caroline Dragani and Mary Jo McBride each saw time for the Vikings, finishing with 16 and 10 assists, respectively. Freshman libero Ellie Snook also had five assists for the Vikings to go along with her match-high 14 digs.
 
The Vikings continue on the road Saturday, when they face Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, Ariz. The Lumberjacks swept Sacramento State at home in their own match Thursday.
 
First serve between the Vikings and Thunderbirds is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (MT).
 
Match Notes: The Vikings fell to 12-4 all time against Southern Utah with Thursday's loss…The Vikings lost for the first time in Cedar City since Sept. 27, 2014.