Nov. 17, 2007
OREM, Utah - Utah Valley capped its most successful NCAA season by winning the 2007 Division I Independent Championship in a 30-21, 30-22, 30-21 sweep of CSU Bakersfield on Saturday night in the Shurian Family Activity Center.
It's the second time that Utah Valley (21-10) has won the independent championship; the first was in 2005 in Greeley, Colorado.
"You can't top this," said head coach Sam Atoa. "I've really enjoyed coaching these girls. They're very deserving."
The Wolverines dominated the opposition in the tournament, sweeping all three matches they played. As a team, UV hit .336 in wins over Providence, Texas-Pan American and Bakersfield while holding the opponents to a .123 attack percentage.
Jessica Endres topped her career at Utah Valley by earning tournament MVP honors, two days after being named the 2007 Independent Offensive Player of the Year. Endres had 10 kills and seven blocks in the win over the Roadrunners and averaged 3.67 kills, 1.44 blocks and hit .556 during the tournament.
"It feels great," said Endres. "There's no better way to go out than on top."
"Players like that make coaches look good," said Atoa of Endres. "I can't explain what she means to me and this program. It's going to be sad to see her go, but I'm happy and thrilled for her success."
Camie Manwill and Allyce Wilson were named to the all-tournament team for Utah Valley. Manwill had eight kills and 14 digs in the win over Bakersfield while Wilson's defense was a key to the Wolverines' success all tournament and season long.
Kayli Broadbent had eight kills and hit .429 while Kristin Anderson had seven kills, one block solo and combined on seven block assists.
Sarah Norman, who was named to the all-tournament team along with teammate Gabe Curtis, had 17 kills in the championship match for Bakersfield (8-20).
Utah Valley had control for much of the first two games, using a 9-3 run early in game one to take control and a 6-0 run midway through the second game en route to a 2-0 lead.
The `Runners came out in game three looking like the team that rolled through Chicago State and NJIT, building a 9-3 lead on consecutive service aces by Kayla Williamson.
From there though Utah Valley went on a tear, using a 7-1 run to tie the match at 10 and then a 13-4 run later in the game to take a 26-16 lead.
The Wolverines won 21 matches in 2007, the most wins the team has achieved in five seasons at the Division I level. In addition to Endres earning the Offensive Player of the Year, Wilson was named the Defensive Player of the Year, Broadbent was the Freshman of the Year and Atoa earned Coach of the Year honors. Endres, Wilson, Kristi Lindley and Manwill all were named to the All-Independent first team and Broadbent was named to the second team.
Along with Endres, Chelsea Baugh and Terin Ledall both played their final collegiate match. Baugh collected four digs while Ledall had one block in the championship match.
Earlier in the day Providence swept NJIT in the 5th-place match and Texas-Pan American defeated Chicago State in four games to finish in third place.
MVP - Jessica Endres
All-Tournament Team
Camie Manwill - Utah Valley
Allyce Wilson - Utah Valley
Sarah Norman - CSU Bakersfield
Gabe Curtis - CSU Bakersfield
Chelsea Blakely - Texas-Pan American
Alexandra Mason - Chicago State
Sarah Fleming - Providence
Sabrina Baby - NJIT
