ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Wolverines overcame a slow start to rally for a thrilling five-set win over WAC-newcomer Dixie State, 3-2 (18-25, 25-20, 25-27, 25-15, 15-10) in Burns Arena. With the victory in the Old Hammer Rivalry, UVU improves to 7-3 on the season, including 7-2 in WAC play as the Trailblazers fall to 6-6 on the year and 5-6 in conference play.
 
"I was so proud how they battled tonight," said Utah Valley head volleyball coach Sam Atoa. "We dedicated this match to Cathy. She was our motivation that help us fight through the challenging times. We struggled at times offensively but when it mattered we came through. Seren was a beast tonight with 37 digs. She dug everything. We will enjoy this one tonight but looking forward to another battle tomorrow."
 
After a back-and-forth start to the opening set, Dixie State went on a 6-0 run to take an early 9-6 lead. Sadie Hamson brought the Wolverines back, scoring three kills during a 4-1 UVU run to cut the deficit to 10-7. The Trailblazers took control of the set with a 11-4 surge to take a 21-11 lead. Kazna Tanuvasa and tried to keep Utah Valley close with three straight kills but DSU would pull away to take the first set, 25-18.
 
The Wolverines fell behind early in the second set, 7-2. Both teams would exchange points before UVU came roaring back with a 14-4 run, led by Tanuvasa and Tori Dorius, to take command of the second set, 21-16. DSU didn't go down without a fight, ripping off four-straight points before the Wolverines scored the final four points to take the second set, 25-20.
 
A pair of aces by Bryton Bishop got UVU off to a hot start in the third set as the Wolverines took an early 7-1 lead. Dixie State chipped away at the lead, using an 11-6 run to trim the UVU lead to 13-12 in the third set. The Trailblazers sprinted ahead with a 6-3 run to take a 20-19 advantage. The Wolverines briefly retook the lead at 22-21 but DSU outscored UVU 6-3 down the stretch to take the third set, 27-25, pushing its lead to 2-1.
 
With its backs against the wall, the Wolverines sprinted out to an 12-5 lead in the fourth set. After back-to-back points from the Trailblazers, UVU ripped off a 10-4 run behind Dorius and Tanuvasa to seize control of the fourth set, 22-11. DSU was unable to challenge from there as UVU coasted to a 25-15 victory in the set to tie the match up at 2-2.
 
In the fifth and deciding set, the Wolverines took advantage of some early Trailblazer errors to take an early 5-2 lead. DSU tied the set back up with a mini 3-0 run but UVU scored three-straight points of its own to push the lead back out to 8-5. After Utah Valley pushed its advantage to 10-6, Dixie State countered with a 4-1 run to cut the lead to 11-10. With the match on the line, Kendra Nock had a pair of kills as UVU scored the match's final four points to take the final set, 15-10, to complete the comeback.
 
Seren Jardine had a career high 37 digs to lead the team to go along with six assists. Tanuvasa led the Wolverines with 17 kills to go along with nine. Dorius added 12 kills and six digs and Nock added seven kills to go along with a game-high six blocks. Jaysa Funk Stratton led the Wolverines with 28 assists and 11 digs for her second double-double of the year and Abbie Miller chipped in 18 assists and four digs. Bishop had another strong match servicing, finishing with a match-high four aces to go along with 17 digs.
 
The Wolverines continue in St. George, Utah with another match against Dixie State on Tuesday, March. 2. The match is set for 12:00 p.m. MT. Utah Valley will then return home to Orem to take on WAC-leader New Mexico State on Monday and Tuesday, March 8-9, in Lockhart Arena.