OREM, Utah – The Utah Valley State volleyball team jumped out to an early lead before hanging on to a thrilling five-game victory over Northern Colorado, 30-25, 30-26, 21-30, 27-30 and 16-14.
The Wolverines, now 9-10, avenged a loss to the Bears (10-10 this year) just six days ago. Northern Colorado swept Utah Valley in Greeley. The win also marked the first for the Wolverines against UNC. The Bears had won the previous six matches between the two schools. Utah Valley head coach
Sam Atoa is pleased with the way his team came back.
"It's been a year of 'firsts' for us as a team," he said. "Earlier in the year we lost 3-0 to Weber State and then beat them for the first time a few weeks later."
In the first two games, the Wolverines jumped out to early leads. In game one, Utah Valley went on a 7-2 run to grab an 18-12 lead. The six-point advantage proved to be enough for the Wolverines as they took the game on a game point by Olson.
The run came earlier in game two. Trailing 6-7, Utah Valley strung together six consecutive points before the Bears called a timeout. The lead held up for the Wolverines. Atoa was happy with the energy his team came and played with.
"I am proud of the way the girls came out and played in the first two games," Atoa said. "But you have to hand it to Northern Colorado, they played well to fight back."
Somehow the momentum changed between the second and third games as UNC came out with more determination. After committing 11 errors and only hitting .058 in game two, the Bears committed only three errors and hit .395.
Game four provided drama to the match. The Wolverines were headed in the right direction up 24-20 before Northern Colorado came roaring back with a 5-0 run to take the lead. Utah Valley fought back to a 27-26 lead before the Bears scored the final four points to force the fifth game.
The drama carried over into game five where the Wolverines and Bears fought back and forth before Utah Valley State won on a Northern Colorado error.
"It was a good win," Atoa said. "Everybody contributed and won as a team."
Next up for Utah Valley State is an October 25 match with Westminster College at 7 p.m.
