ST. GEORGE, Utah – Utah Valley used a balanced attack to complete the season sweep of in-state rival, Dixie State, 3-0 (25-14, 25-21, 25-21) in Burns Arena. The Wolverines hit a season-high in hitting percentage, converting at a .304 percent clip. With the sweep in the Old Hammer Rivalry, UVU climbs to 8-3 on the season, including 8-2 in WAC play as the Trailblazers fall to 6-7 on the year and 5-7 in conference play.
 
"This was a great team effort," said Utah Valley head volleyball coach Sam Atoa. "We made some minor adjustments from last night that really paid off for us. Our ability to control the net both on offense and defense was huge for us."
 
The Trailblazers got off to a quick start, thanks to a few UVU errors, taking an early 5-2 lead. Tori Dorius led the UVU charge as the Wolverines countered with a 7-1 run to take a 9-6 advantage. After DSU cut the lead to one point, Utah Valley ripped off a 9-2 spurt to take control of the first set, 19-11. Dixie State was unable to challenge from there as UVU scored the final five points of the set to open the game up with a 25-14 win.
 
After a back-and forth start to the second set, Dorius led a 5-0 run by the Wolverines to open up an 8-3 lead. After UVU extended its lead to 14-7, the Trailblazers used a 7-2 run to cut the lead down to 16-14 in the second set. Both teams would exchange points before DSU scored three-straight points to tie the set at 19 apiece. The Wolverines scored six of the final eight points of the set as an ace by Jaysa Funk Stratton gave UVU the 25-21 win in the second set.
 
Both teams played even to start the third set before a 5-2 run by Dixie State gave the Trailblazers an early 8-6 lead. Tanuvasa led the counter with three-straight kills by the Wolverines to tie the set up at 9-9. After alternating scoring for eight points, the Wolverines used a quick 5-0 surge to retake the lead, 17-14. DSU rallied with a 4-1 run to tie the set back up at 18 apiece. Both teams alternated the next five points before the Wolverines took charge, scoring five of the last six points of the match, taking the final set, 25-21, to sweep the match, 3-0.
 
Tanuvasa led the Wolverines with 13 kills to go along with three digs. Kristen Bell flirted with a double-double, finishing with nine kills and nine digs. Kendra Nock added seven kills to go along with five blocks while Dorius chipped in eight kills and four blocks. Natalia Andrus led UVU with a career-high six blocks and Seren Jardine finished with a game-high 18 digs. Jaysa Funk Stratton fell just short of a double-double, finishing with 21 assists and 9 digs while Abbie Miller chipped in 21 assists and four digs.
 
"I am very proud of the way we kept our focus throughout the match," said Atoa. "This will be key for us as we prepare for New Mexico State next week. They are playing very well but we are looking forward to a great battle with them.
 
Utah Valley returns home to Orem to take on WAC-leader New Mexico State on Monday and Tuesday, March 8-9, in Lockhart Arena. Monday's match is set for 6:00 p.m. MT and Tuesday's contest is set to begin at 12:00 p.m. MT. Utah Valley will then hit the road for its final road trip as it travels to Edinburg, Texas to take on UT Rio Grande Valley on Monday and Tuesday, March 15-16, in UTRGV Fieldhouse.