Utah Valley and California Baptist are set to square off in Riverside, Calif. on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 8-9, in Van Dyne Gym. Monday's match is set for 6:00 p.m. MT, while Tuesday's contest is set to begin at 1:00 p.m. MT. Both matches will be broadcasted on the WAC Digital Network.
Next week's contests will mark the fifth and sixth all-time meetings between UVU and CBU. The Wolverines hold a 1-3 record in the series, including a 1-1 mark on the road. The Lancers won last years' match in Riverside, 3-1, on Nov. 16, 2019. In 2018, UVU recorded the win on the road, sweeping California Baptist, 3-0, on Nov. 1.
The Lancers went 14-16 overall a season ago and 7-9 in WAC action. CBU was picked to finish fourth in the Western Athletic Conference and are led by preseason All-WAC nominees senior middle blocker Sydney Marks and sophomore outside hitter Christine Graf. California Baptist swept its opening series in WAC play, defeating Tarleton State 3-0 and 3-1 on the road.
The Wolverines are coming off a hard-fought loss in four-set thriller to in-state rival #14 BYU, 3-1 in the Lockhart Arena. With the loss in the UCCU Crosstown Clash, UVU fell to 2-1 on the season and in WAC play as the Cougars improve to 3-0 to start its season.
Kazna Tanuvasa led the way for UVU with 18 kills to go along with six digs. Tanuvasa became the fifth player in UVU history to reach the 1000 kill plateau.
Tori Dorius added 14 kills to go along with five digs and four blocks.
Jaysa Funk Stratton led the Wolverines with 25 assists and six digs and
Abbie Miller chipped in 17 assists, six digs, and a pair of aces.
Seren Jardine had 16 digs to lead the team and
Bryton Bishop had seven digs and game-high three aces.
Both teams were set to face each other on Jan. 25-26 but the matches were postponed due to COVID-19 protocols. Following the matchup with the Lancers, the Wolverines will travel to Stephenville, Texas to take on Tarleton State in the first-ever match between the two schools Feb. 15-16. Both matches are set to start at 5:00 p.m. MT and will be broadcasted on the WAC Digital Network.
