OREM, Utah – Utah Valley women's volleyball swept Abilene Christian University 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-20). UVU (8-14, 5-6) was led by senior
Tori Ellis, who recorded a double-double with 13 kills and 11 blocks as
Caleigh Vagana added ten blocks, and
Kendra Nock had eight as the Wolverines held a 21-7 advantage in blocks over ACU (10-13, 5-6).
Utah Valley got off to a fast start in the opening set as they had eight of their 21 blocks in the opening set. Vagana had five blocks in the first set as the Wolverines built a 9-5 lead after a service error before a block assist from
Kalea Kennedy and Nock.
Avery Shewell added a service ace during the stretch. The lead was extended out to 16-9 after four consecutive blocks by UVU, and they closed the set with a kill from Nock before
Molly Cummard ended the opening set with a service ace.
Ellis stepped up in the second set with five of a match-high 13 kills while adding two block assists. She added a solo block in the set to give the Wolverines an early 5-2 lead. After the solid defensive start, Utah Valley used a strong second set offensive attack to pull away, breaking an 11-11 tie with kills from Kennedy and
Hailey Cuff before a pair of ACU attack errors; after a short Wildcat run, UVU used a 4-0 run to take a 19-14 lead. Abilene Christian came back and made it 24-22 after a 7-1 run. Shewell ended the hopes of a comeback with a kill, securing the set for Utah Valley.
The defense returned and took over the match in the final set and held ACU to a match-low-hitting percentage of .070%. The Wolverines scored the first three points of the final set after a pair of block assists and a kill from Cuff. The 6-0 run in the middle of the set gave Utah Valley a comfortable 18-11 lead with kills from Ellis, Shewell, Cuff, and Vagana before a block assist from Vagana and Ellis. Four of the final five points scored by UVU to secure the sweep were scored on blocks.
Utah Valley tallied 36 block assists and three solo blocks. Shewell added a solo block and three block assists, Cuff and Kennedy each had three block assists.
The Wolverines will host Tarleton State on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 1:00 p.m. MT inside Lockhart Arena. UVU next week returns to Texas for matchups with UT Arlington and Stephen F. Austin.
