OREM, Utah – After a slow start in the first two games the Utah Valley State volleyball team got rolling and dominated the final two sets, defeating Texas-Pan American 30-28, 28-30, 30-16, 30-19, Saturday night in the Activity Center.
The Wolverines hit .323 and .400, respectively over the final two sets to give UTPA their twelveth loss of the season. With the win UV improves to 7-7 on the season.
"Once we settled down and started to do the things we knew we could do, I wasn't surprised of the results of the third and fourth games," said Atoa. "Once we were able to control the net, we were able to create and convert."
Utah Valley State out-blocked UTPA 12-7 and out-hit the Broncs .248 to .155.
Four Wolverine front liners notched double figure kills, with
Anne Olsen and
Jessica Endres finishing with 14 apiece, and
Camie Manwill and
Brooke Adams recording 11 each.
Maegan Hoyt was steady on the back row, tallying 28 digs. She now owns the top-5 single match dig totals in the school's young NCAA Division I history.
In game one, the Wolverines took an early 5-1 lead. The Broncs came galloping back with an 11-6 run to take the lead 12-11. The set stayed even the rest of the way, with the Wolverines taking the final advantage at 30-28. Olsen and Endres led Utah Valley with 5 kills apiece in the game.
Game two started the way game one ended with both teams trading points and sideouts most of the way. UTPA finally snuck away with a four point lead late in the game at 24-20 forcing a UV timeout. The break was helpful as the Wolverines went on a 6-2 run to tie the game at 26-26.
The Wolverines took an 8-3 lead in game four helped by a 6-2 run. Utah Valley extended its lead to 14-6, on two consecutive kills by Manwill. The Lady Broncs would call timeout and regroup, scoring the next five points to fut the UV lead to three at 14-11. UTPA would only score five points the rest of the set. The Wolverines found the energy they needed and went on a 12-3 spurt to run away with the game 30-16.
Game four was close in the beginning with the Wolverines owning a 6-5 lead. UV would go on a 5-2 run and extend that lead to 13-7, and eventually to 19-11 before UTPA called a timeout. UTPA only scored eight points the rest of the way, as UV dominated the second half of the game closing it out 30-18 in the end.
The Wolverines will rest over the weekend and prepare to host in-state rival Utah State on Monday, October 10th in the Activity Center. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 pm (MST).
