PULLMAN, Wash. – Sophomores Lexi Thompson and Madison Dennison both topped double figures in kills for Utah Valley University as the Wolverines went on to sweep Ball State three sets to none (25-22, 25-22, 25-23) in the WSU Cougar Challenge opener in Pullman on Friday morning.
 
Thompson put up a match-high 11 kills, four blocks and two service aces for UVU (3-5) in the victory, while Dennison added 10 kills, a match-best .389 attack percentage and three blocks.
 
As a team, the Wolverines recorded four more team blocks than the Cardinals (4-4) in the contest, 9-5, as well as outhit BSU, .213 to .156.
 
With UVU holding to a two-point advantage midway through the first set, the Wolverines connected on four of the next five points to extend their lead to five, at 17-12. BSU later pulled to within one, at 19-18, but Utah Valley responded by scoring six of the final nine points in the frame to take the opening set by three points.
 
The Wolverines took a 15-10 advantage in the second set following a 4-0 run that was spurred by a pair of kills from Dennison. The Cardinals tried to stage a late comeback in the frame, but the deficit was too large for BSU to overcome as UVU once again held on to take the second game by a score of 25-22.
 
Ball State looked poised to take the third set when it jumped out to a 17-13 advantage following a 5-0 spurt, but UVU struck right back by scoring eight of the next 12 points to tie the frame at 21-all. After back-to-back kills gave the Cardinals a late 23-21 lead, the Wolverines once again answered with four consecutive points of their own to finish off the Cougar Challenge opener in straight sets. Junior Kiahna Steiner led the final UVU surge with a kill and an ace.
 
A match removed from recording a career-high 51 assists, sophomore setter Sierra Starley once again played well for the Wolverines as she chipped in a match-high 34 assists. Freshman Lindsey Tagge too had a nice outing from the back row for UVU as she added a season-best 13 digs.
 
Emily Holland led BSU, who was picked to finish third in the MAC's Western Division this season, with nine kills on Friday.
 
Utah Valley will continue play at the Cougar Challenge on Friday evening against Morehead State of the Ohio Valley Conference at 6 p.m. MT/5 p.m. PT. The Wolverines will then close the weekend tournament against host Washington State on Saturday at 8 p.m./7 p.m. PT.