Nov. 16, 2007

OREM, Utah - Utah Valley swept Texas-Pan American (30-17, 30-23, 30-22) on Friday to reach the 20-win milestone for the first time at the NCAA level.

The Wolverines (20-10) came into Friday's action at the Division I Independent Championships with 18 wins but swept two matches in dominating fashion, also defeating Providence 30-18, 30-21, 30-16, to reach that landmark.

"We're a good team when we're clicking. It's great to see the girls play well at this point in the season," said head coach Sam Atoa.

Utah Valley will play in Saturday's championship match against CSU Bakersfield at 6:00pm in the Shurian Family Activity Center. The Wolverines defeated the Roadrunners twice in October in Bakersfield on consecutive days.

Against Texas-Pan American (14-18), the Wolverines hit a season high .385 in defeating the Lady Broncs for the third time this season.

Jessica Endres, the 2007 Independent Offensive Player of the Year, hit .385 with 11 kills while Camie Manwill also had 11 kills and hit .429. Kristi Lindley had 38 assists and eight digs for the Wolverines.

In the earlier win over Providence, Endres had 12 kills and hit .611 while Kristin Anderson had 10 kills and hit .438. Lindley had 41 assists and Allyce Wilson added 12 digs for UV against the Friars (18-12).

Saturday's championship match will mark the third straight year the Wolverines will play in the final. Utah Valley defeated South Dakota State in 2005 to win the championship but fell to IPFW in 2006.