PHOENIX, Arizona - Utah Valley defeated the WAC's No. 1 standing Grand Canyon University in a four-set battle on Saturday at the GCU Arena, 3-1 (25-19, 30-28, 26-24, 28-26). 

UVU dug a 3-7 hole in the first set against GCU, but the Wolverines put together back-to-back four and five point runs to take the lead over the Lopes late in the first at 16-15. GCU pulled out a three kills in a row for a game-ending finish over UVU, 25-19. Kazna Tarawhiti posted four kills while Bailey Christensen posted three in the first. 

Set two was a point-for-point battle that produced nine lead changes in the 30-28 Wolverine win over the Lopes. The teams tied halfway through the second set at 15-15 before a string of kills from GCU's front line put them on top, 17-19. Attacks from Megan Childs, Kaili Downs, Christensen and Tarawhiti gave UVU the 29-28 advantage and an attack error from the Lopes would seal Utah Valley's first set victory over GCU, 30-29. 

In the third and fourth set, UVU became a powerhouse at the net, tallying 18 team kills in the third and 17 in the fourth. Senior middleblocker Makaila Jarema posted seven kills between the last two sets, while Childs and Christensen both added three. The final two sets both ended in a two-point difference, 26-24 an 28-26. 

UVU out-hit GCU 63-58 for a team average of .266%, 9-5 in blocks at the net and a close 79-76 digs in the contest. 

Tarawhiti posted another 19 kills against the Lopes, as the sophomore has now marked 12 double-digit games in the 2019 season so far. Christensen ended the day with eleven kills, followed by Jarema with nine who also led the team with four blocks against the Lopes. 

UVU and GCU have now met 13 times historically, as the Wolverines move to a perfect 13-0 record over the Lopes in all appearances. 

The Wolverines now returns home to Orem to face a slate of contests against UMKC, Cal Baptist, Chicago State and Seattle U. For all schedule information, click here.