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OREM, Utah – The Utah Valley University volleyball team concluded its six-match homestand with a 3-0 sweep over Texas-Pan American Saturday afternoon at the PE Building (25-17, 25-12, 25-20). The win marked head coach Sam Atoa's 200th career victory at the Division I level.
 
The Wolverines (7-10, 2-1 WAC) were led by a balanced attack in the contest as five players recorded four or more kills. Junior Lauren Bakker paced the squad with eight kills, six blocks and an even .500 hitting percentage, while sophomore Kiahna Steiner -- who recorded her first career start in the match -- added seven kills and four blocks. Senior Kalani Norris chipped in six kills of her own, while fellow senior Cassie Wahlin and Macky Treanor each added four kills apiece.
 
UVU took a commanding 16-7 advantage in the opening set thanks to a 6-0 run. The Wolverines held the lead from there as they went on to take the first set by eight points. Utah Valley out hit the Broncs .324 to .050 in the opening frame as it committed just two attack errors in the set.
 
The Wolverines' took another quick large advantage in the second set by opening a 15-5 lead following a Bronc service error. UVU stretched its lead to as many as 13 later in the frame as it took the set by a score of 25-12. Steiner paced the Wolverines in the set with kills.
 
The Broncs hung around in the third set as they found themselves down by just three at 17-14. UVU managed to maintain its advantage down the stretch, however, as it put the set away by a score of 25-20 on a Treanor kill.  
 
As a team, UVU out hit UTPA .363 to .078 in the match. The Wolverines' also recorded 6.5 more blocks than the Broncs as well as six more service aces.  
 
Freshman Sierra Starley too had a nice outing for UVU as she put up a match-high 30 assists. Senior McKenna Tait, who leads the WAC in service aces, also chipped in a team-best three aces. 
 
With the victory, UVU finished its six-match homestand with a 4-2 record. The win also marked the Wolverines' 24th all-time victory over the Broncs. UVU now leads the series 24-1 over UTPA.
 
In 12 Division I seasons, Atoa is now 200-138. He is also 338-169 overall for his career in 16 years at Utah Valley.
 
The Wolverines will head to the Midwest next week to take on Missouri-Kansas City on Thursday and Chicago State on Saturday. UVU will then return home the following week to host in-state foe Weber State on Oct. 14 at 7 p.m.