RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The Wolverines dropped a five-set thriller to conference foe California Baptist, 3-1 (19-25, 25-19, 17-25, 25-22, 11-15) in Riverside, Calif. in Van Dyne Gym. With the loss, UVU falls to 2-2 on the season, including 2-1 in WAC play as the Lancers improve to 4-0 on the year and 3-0 in conference play.
 
The opening set was back and forth with neither team holding a lead larger than two points as California Baptist took a 17-16 lead. The Lancers blew the set open, scoring five straight points as CBU took the first set, 25-19.
 
After the Wolverines took an early 7-6 lead in the second set, UVU scored five straight points as part of a 7-1 run to take control of the set, 14-7. CBU used a 4-1 run to cut the lead to four points, but that would be as close as the Lancers would get as Utah Valley coasted to a 25-19 set victory.
 
California Baptist came out firing, scoring six of the first seven points en route 11-6 lead. After a CBU error, the Lancers went on an 8-2 run to take command of the set, 19-9. UVU would challenge late in the set, using a 5-1 run to cut into the lead, but it was too little, too late as California Baptist took the third set, 25-17.
 
UVU got off to quick start in the fourth set, taking a 7-3 lead early in the set. CBU used a 12-6 run to retake the lead, 15-13. The Wolverines surged ahead, scoring five straight points to go ahead, 18-15. After the Lancers scored three straight to tie it up, UVU scored four straight points as the Wolverines outscored CBU 7-4 to take the set, 25-22, and tie the match up at two sets apiece.
 
CBU scored the first couple points of the final set before UVU score four straight to take a 4-2 lead early in the set. The Lancers took command of the set with a 9-2 surge to take an 11-6 lead. After Utah Valley cut the deficit to 12-10, California Baptist scored three of the final four points to take the deciding set, 15-11, and the match, 3-2.
 
Kristen Bell led the Wolverines with 13 kills and 10 digs for the first UVU double-double of the season. Kazna Tanuvasa added 13 kills and six digs and Tori Dorius added 10 kills to go along with six digs and six blocks. Jaysa Funk Stratton led the Wolverines with 29 assists and 11 digs for her first double-double of the year and Abbie Miller chipped in 19 assists and five digs. Seren Jardine had 19 digs to lead the team and Bishop added 10 digs.
 
The Wolverines continue in Riverside, Calif. with a rematch against California Baptist on Tuesday, Feb. 9. The match is set for 1:00 p.m. MT. Utah Valley will then stay on the road, traveling to Stephenville, Texas to take on WAC newcomer Tarleton State on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 15-16, with both matches set to start at 5:00 p.m. MT.