FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Makayla Pollard's career night led Utah Valley to a hard-fought four-set win, 3-1 (22-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-21) over Northern Arizona in the Lumberjack Classic. Pollard and Kazna Tanuvasa were each named to the All-Tournament for their tremendous play and leading the Wolverines to a runner-up finish.
 
With the win, UVU improves to 3-5 on the season as the Lumberjacks fall to 1-6 on the year.
 
Northern Arizona got out to an early 3-1 lead before Utah Valley used a 6-2 run to retake the lead, 7-5. After both teams battled back and forth, NAU used a 4-1 run to take a 14-12 advantage. Both teams went back and forth until the Lumberjacks scored four-straight points to seize control of the set, 21-16. With Northern Arizona up 24-19, Pollard had a kill and a pair of blocks to bring UVU back to within two points, but NAU finished off the set, 25-22.
 
The Wolverines got off to a quick start in the second set, 6-3, but the Lumberjacks rattled off six-straight points to take a 9-6 lead. UVU roared back, using a 10-4 surge, led by Tanuvasa, to retake the lead, 16-13. Kristen Bell kept Utah Valley ahead as the Wolverines maintained a 21-17 advantage. The Lumberjacks were unable to challenge from there as UVU finished the set on a 4-2 run to take the second set, 25-20, to tie the match up at 1-1.
 
A pair of Bell aces led Utah Valley to an early 4-1 lead but NAU scored three-straight points to knot it up at four apiece. After going back and forth, Jules Fink helped UVU extend its lead to 16-12. After three-straight points by NAU, a pair of Tanvuasa aces pushed the Wolverine advantage out to 20-15. The Lumberjacks made a final 6-1 push to tie the set up at 21-21, but Abbie Miller keyed a 4-0 run to end the set, 25-21, giving Utah Valley a 2-1 lead in the match.
 
Tanuvasa keyed a 12-4 run to start the fourth set, but Northern Arizona countered with an 8-2 run to cut the lead to 14-12. After both teams exchanged points, UVU used a 4-1 run to extend its lead to 20-15. NAU ripped off six-straight points to regain the lead, 21-20, but Utah Valley was too much as the Wolverines scored five of the last six points to take the fourth set, 25-22, to finish off the win, 3-1.
 
Pollard led the UVU defense, finishing with career highs in points (14.5), kills (10), and blocks (7) to go along with her first-career ace. Bell led Utah Valley with 12 kills to go along with 11 digs and three blocks. Tanuvasa chipped in 11 kills to go along with eight digs and Fink added eight kills and a career-high six blocks. Miller led the Wolverines with 21 assists to go along with seven digs and Natalie Palmer added a double-double with 17 assists and a career-high 11 digs. Bryton Bishop finished with 17 digs.
 
The Wolverines return home for a five-game homestand, starting with a matchup with in-state rival Utah State on Tuesday, Sep. 14, in Lockhart Arena. UVU will then host Idaho State on Thursday, Sep. 16, before welcoming in-state rival #12 BYU on Saturday, Sep. 18.