Nov. 4, 2006
Orem, Utah - The Utah Valley State women's volleyball team rolled to a 30-23, 30-21, 30-24 sweep of Texas-Pan American Saturday night in the Shurian Family Activity Center. It was the fourth straight win for the Wolverines and the second sweep in as many nights as seniors Lacee Koelliker, Stephanie McFarland and Brooke Adams all contributed to the win in the final home matches of their careers.
Koelliker had 48 assists in the match and in the process passed 1,000 assists for the 3rd time in her career. She is now 73 away from reaching 4,000 career assists.
"I don't know if I can put (what she's meant to the program) into words," said head coach Sam Atoa. "She has been the heartbeat of this program. It's not going to be the same without her."
Koelliker and McFarland are the first two volleyball players in Utah Valley history to play four years at the NCAA level. Adams played two years in Orem after transferring from Dixie State.
"Since my freshman year, each year we've gotten better," said Koelliker, the reigning D-I Independent Setter of the Year. "To be where we are now and to come as far as we've come is amazing. It's an honor to be a part of it. Sam's a great coach."
Adams had eight kills, one block solo and combined on four block assists while McFarland six kills and combined on two block assists.
"I thought all the girls were great. We knew sooner or later it would be over but to be able to celebrate the success of the program with them has been remarkable," said Atoa.
Jessica Endres and Camie Manwill led the team with 12 kills each while Terin Ledall added a season-high 10 kills. Kellie Phillips led Pan American with a match-high 14 kills.
The Wolverines held the Broncs to just .073 in the first game while getting 17 assists from Koelliker and at least three kills from five different players. The game was tied as late as 20-20 but a 7-1 UV run propelled them to the 1-0 lead in the match.
In game two both teams were tied again late, this time at 21 before Utah Valley closed out the game on a 9-0 run, ending it on an Endres kill.
The Wolverines will close out the 2006 season next weekend in Fargo, North Dakota at the Division-I Independent Championship. UV won the championship in 2005, defeating South Dakota State 3-1 in the championship match.
Utah Valley ended the 2006 regular season in similar fashion as last season. In 2005 the Wolverines won five straight heading into the Independent Tournament before finishing with the championship and an eight match win streak.
"For sure we are playing very well at the right time," said Atoa. "If it continues we like our chances...regardless of whom we are playing."
Tournament pairings will be released on Monday with each team playing twice on Friday and then be seeded of Saturday's championship round.
