Sept. 12, 2008

OREM, Utah - The Utah Valley University women's volleyball team (1-5) earned its first victory of the year Friday at home in a 3-0 sweep (25-20, 25-19, 25-16) against North Texas (1-6) in the first match of the LaQuinta Invitational.

Sophomore outside hitter Kayli Broadbent led all attackers with 16 kills in the match with a hitting percentage of .542. Freshman outside hitter Chelsey Garfield also recorded 11 kills in her first match at the Shurian Family Activity Center.

"It's nice to be at home," UVU head coach Sam Atoa said. "The fans tonight were great. They provided us with a lot of energy, and the girls were jumping higher and hitting the ball harder. That's what being at home does for you. I was proud of our girls for sustaining it from start to finish tonight."

The Wolverines as a team recorded their best attack percentage of the season at .298 to the Mean Green's .144. Junior middle blocker Kristen Anderson added four more blocks to her total (33) on the year as she continues to average 1.5 blocks per set. Junior libero Allyce Wilson also recorded 22 digs in the three sets, marking the second time she has surpassed the 20-dig mark in a match this season.

North Texas never led by more than two points in any set on the night. Utah Valley's defense also kept any Mean Green attacker from reaching double digits in any category other than assists of which setter Marelle Lepmets tallied 25.

The LaQuinta Invitational will continue Saturday afternoon as North Texas squares off against Idaho State at 1 p.m. at the Shurian Family Activity Center. The Wolverines will then host Idaho State at 7 p.m. to conclude the tournament.