SALT LAKE CITY – The Wolverines were unable to overcome a slow start in a three-set loss to in-state rival #19 Utah, 3-0 (15-25, 10-15, 12-25) on the road in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City. With the loss, UVU falls to 0-2 on the season as the Utes improve to 2-0 on the year.
 
Utah scored the first three points of the match before a pair of errors brought UVU within a point, 3-2. The Utes then rattled off a 10-3 run to push its lead to 13-5, but Natalia Andrus sparked a 6-1 run by the Wolverines to cut the deficit to 14-11. Utah Valley was unable to string together a rally as Utah outscored UVU 11-4 to end the opening set to take the set, 25-15.
 
The Wolverines got off a slow start as the Utes opened up a 9-2 lead. After kills by Kendra Nock and Kaili Downs, Utah used an 8-2 run to extend its lead to 18-6. Utah coasted to the set win, 25-10, to extend its lead to 2-0.
 
The Utes took an early 5-2 lead in the third set before a pair of kills by Kazna Tanuvasa and Tori Dorius brought the Wolverines to within one point. Jules Fink kept Utah Valley close with a pair of kills, bringing the score to 11-8 before a 10-2 surge by the Utes put the game out of reach. Utah took the final set, 25-12, to finish off the sweep.
 
Dorius led the Wolverines with nine kills and a pair of blocks. Abbie Miller chipped in 11 assists and four digs and Natalie Palmer added 10 assists and three digs. Tanuvasa finished with five kills and five digs. Utah Valley was plagued by 25 attack errors four service errors.
 
The Wolverines return home to Lockhart Arena to host Hawaii on Thursday, Sep. 2. The match is set to begin at 5:00 p.m. MT. Utah Valley will then head north for a pair of matches as UVU will take on Cal Poly in Salt Lake City on Friday, Sep. 3, at 4:30 p.m. MT, followed by a trip to Ogden to face off with in-state rival Weber State on Wednesday, Sep. 8.