OREM – Utah Valley dropped a highly-contested match with WAC-foe Grand Canyon, 3-0 (27-29, 22-25, 23-25) on Senior Night in Lockhart Arena. The Wolverines held late leads in each set but were unable to close out GCU as UVU was swept for only the second time all season. With the loss, UVU falls to 11-5 on the season, including 11-4 in WAC play. The 'Lopes improve to 11-2 on the year and 11-2 in conference play.
 
Both teams battle back and forth to start the match as UVU edged its way to an early 10-8 lead. Grand Canyon countered with a 4-0 run to retake the lead, 12-10. Utah Valley chipped away at the deficit before a GCU service error gave UVU the lead, 18-17. The 'Lopes used another 4-0 spurt to push its lead to 21-18, but Kazna Tanuvasa led the Wolverines on a 3-0 burst to tie the set back up at 21-21. After exchanging points, UVU pushed its lead to set point, 24-23, but a pair of blocks by GCU put the Wolverines behind the count. After fighting off two set points, the 'Lopes got a block to take the first set, 29-27.
 
UVU raced out to a 3-0 lead but GCU countered with four-straight points to take an early 4-3 lead. Neither team was able to create much separation and after alternating the next 10 point, the Wolverines were able to grab a 14-11 lead. Grand Canyon responded with an 8-3 run to retake the lead, 19-17. Kendra Nock led UVU on a 5-2 run to put the Wolverines ahead, 22-21, but GCU took the final four points to secure the set, 25-21, and extend its lead to 2-0.
 
The Wolverines got off to a quick start in the third set, thanks to Nock, to take an early 4-1 lead. After the 'Lopes battled back to tie the set up at 6-6, Kristen Bell led a 6-1 UVU run to push the lead back out to 12-7. After Utah Valley extended its lead to 15-10, Grand Canyon used an 8-3 run to tie the set up at 18-18. The 'Lopes ripped off four-straight points to take control of the final set, 22-18. UVU fought back, cutting the lead to one point on three separate occasions, but were unable to get over the hump as Grand Canyon took the final set, 25-23, to close out the sweep.

Nock led the Wolverines with 13 kills to go along with five blocks. Seren Jardine had a game-high 21 digs and five assists. Jaysa Funk Stratton led UVU with 18 assists, seven digs, and five blocks. Funk Stratton also had an ace, giving her 68 for her career, to bring her to tenth all-time in UVU history. Abbie Miller chipped in 10 assists and four digs and Tanuvasa added seven kills and six digs.
 
The Wolverines will wrap up the regular season with a rematch against Grand Canyon in Lockhart Arena on Tuesday, March 23. The match is set to begin at 12:00 p.m. MT. UVU will then host the WAC Volleyball Tournament in Lockhart Arena on Thursday through Saturday, April 1-3. The Wolverines have secured a bye to the semifinals where UVU will take on Grand Canyon on Friday, April 2, at 2:00 p.m. MT.