PROVO, Utah – The number 15th ranked Brigham Young University volleyball team proved to be a national power Tuesday night beating Utah Valley State in three games, 30-21, 30-21, 30-27 in front of 1,059 at the Smith Fieldhouse.

"When you play good teams like BYU, a lot of times you make uncharacteristic mistakes," said Wolverine head coach Sam Atoa. "That is why I challenged the girls to go out on the court in game three and do the things they always do in practice."

UV put up a fight and had a late lead in game three, but the Cougars were too tough in the end.

"We got beat by a very good team tonight," said Atoa. "But I was real proud of our girls."

In game one, the Wolverines traded the Cougars hit-for-hit through the first part of the set with the score sitting at 11-10. BYU then went on a 14-7 run to take a commanding lead, and eventually closed out the game 30-21. Jessica Endres had three kills in the set to lead UV.

Game two started slow for UV, as the Cougars took an early 5-1 lead. UV would cut into that lead getting to within two points at 8-6, but lost ground as BYU pushed forward to a 17-11 advantage. UV would fight back to within four at 24-20, but that is as close as the Wolverines would get as BYU scored six out of the next seven points, winning 30-21.

The Wolverines came out with renewed energy in game three as Lacee Koelliker served the first six points of the set, shocking BYU with four service aces during the run to take an early 6-0 lead. The Cougars would battle back and cut the UV lead to one at 12-11, but an Anne Olsen blast gave the Wolverines a burst, and they extended their lead to 15-11 to force a BYU timeout. The Cougars took advantage of the break scoring the next four points to tie the game at 15-15, and then took their first lead at 18-17. UV would continue to fight and retake the lead, forcing another Cougar timeout at 23-20. The BYU scheduled intermission was timely again, as the Cougars pounded out the next four points to take a 24-23 lead. The Wolverines would take a late 27-26 lead, but BYU scored the final four points to win the game 30-27, and close out the match.

"Utah Valley certainly went on a nice run in game three," said BYU coach Jason Watson. "Lacee gave us fits all night."

Koelliker finished with 30 assists while Olsen and Brooke Adams led the way for the Wolverines with seven kills apiece. Stephanie McFarland and Camie Manwill finished with six kills each.

"I thought Anne played well in game three, and kept us going," said Atoa.

The Wolverines fell to 8-10 on the season, while BYU stayed perfect at 16-0.

UV will prepare to host fellow Division I Independent Northern Colorado on Friday at 7:00 pm in the Activity Center. The Wolverines are looking for their first win over the Bears.