Aug. 29, 2006

OGDEN, Utah - Weber State opened the renovated Swenson Gymnasium with a three game sweep over Utah Valley State Tuesday night 23-30, 26-30, 21-30. The Wildcats closed out the three games with a combined score of 21 to 2.

In game one, it was back-and-forth until the Wolverines used a 7-1 run to take a 14-11 lead and force a WSU timeout. Weber would fight back thanks to a 6-0 run and take a four point advantage at 27-23. After a UV timeout Weber would score the next three points to close out the set 30-23 finishing an 8-0 run in the end. Former Wildcat Ashley Dallin led UV in the game with four kills. The Wildcats out hit UV in the set .243 to .083.

The Wolverines took a 10-6 advantage early in game two and maintained the four point lead at 16-12 with three straight kills by Dallin. Weber continued to be scrappy and took a 18-17 lead, its first lead since 4-3. The Wildcats continued their pressure and took a 23-19 lead as part of a 9-2 run. The Wolverines wouldn't go away cutting the lead to two at 28-26, but a big WSU block helped to close out the set 30-26.

In pivotal game three the Wildcats used a 7-1 run to take a 12-9 lead. Weber would continue to rally after an injury stopped play to move ahead 16-11. UV would use a 4-0 run to fight back to within one at 17-16, but a Wildcat 4-0 run would extend their lead to 25-20 forcing Wolverine head coach Sam Atoa to take a timeout. WSU would finish the game and the match on a 9-1 run, beating UV 30-21.

Dallin led the way for the Wolverines with 10 kills, and Stephanie McFarland added seven. WSU's Leah Burmeister had 10 kills in a match that didn't provide much offense from both teams.

The Wolverines will be back in action this weekend as they travel to compete in the Central Florida Fall Classic. UV plays Furman at 9:00 am (MST) and then Samford at 3:00 pm (MST) on Friday, September 1, followed by a 3:00 pm against host team Central Florida at 3:00 pm (MST) on Saturday, September 2.