DENTON, Texas – The Utah Valley University volleyball team opened the Mean Green Classic with a 3-0 sweep over Jackson State University on Friday afternoon at the University of North Texas (25-8, 25-16, 25-18).

Sophomore Nakisha Willden led the Wolverines (2-7) with 10 kills and a .389 attack percentage while junior Lauren Bakker added eight kills of her own, an impressive .615 hitting percentage and a match-high five blocks. As a team, UVU outhit the Lady Tigers .316 to .054 in the match.

The Wolverines erupted out to an 8-0 lead after scoring eight unanswered points in the opening set. After a Lady Tiger (0-9) point, UVU reeled off 10 straight to take a commanding 18-1 advantage. The Wolverines held the lead from there as they took the first set by 17 points.

Jackson State countered back in the early stages of the second frame, as the set remained tight in the beginning. The Wolverines later used an 8-3 run to take a 20-11 lead. UVU finished off the set by a score of 25-16.

The third set went back and forth for the majority of the frame but UVU managed to put the match away in straight sets by scoring seven of the final nine points to win the frame, 25-18.

Senior McKenna Tait also played well for UVU on Friday as she put up a match-high four aces and 12 digs. Sophomore Kelcee Munk had a nice contest as she chipped in 19 assists and three aces.

Three players led JSU with four kills apiece.

The Wolverines will continue the Mean Green Classic on Saturday, as they'll face Abilene Christian at 1 p.m. CT/12 p.m. MT and host North Texas in the Classic finale at 7 p.m. CT/6 p.m. MT. Following the tournament, UVU will return home to welcome Idaho State, Portland and UC Riverside to town for next weekend's La Quinta Inn & Suites Invitational.