OREM, Utah – Utah Valley dropped the 2023 season opener on Friday afternoon to North Carolina State 3-1 inside Lockhart Arena. The Wolverines led after one set before the Wolfpack found their rhythm and took the next three. Avery Shewell led UVU with 12 kills in the match, and Caleigh Vagana had nine block assists in the loss.  
 
"You have to give NC State credit, they played better, and we just didn't play as well today. There are some things that we will continue to work on to get better," said UVU head coach Sam Atoa.
 
The Wolverines jumped out to a 1-0 lead after getting after a balanced offensive attack with five kills from Shewell, four from Kalea Kennedy, and three from Tori Ellis led the charge in the opening set. The set was tied at 5-5 until a 4-0 run led by the service of Freshman Evalyn Chism pushed the lead out to 9-5. After Utah Valley built a 19-10 advantage, NC State made a late comeback and started to chip away, getting the set back to 20-19. Kennedy and Shewell helped seal the set for UVU, and two kills each in the final five points.  The offensive opening set was led by a .412 to .188 hitting advantage for UVU.
 
NC State controlled the second set as they got out to a 12-3 lead in the set. The Wolverines used a 5-1 run to get the set back to 15-9. Shewell and Kennedy sparked the run with kills and blocks to help UVU get back in the set.  This time, the momentum took another swing in favor of the Wolfpack, who used a 6-3 run to take control of the set and later win the set to even the match at one.
 
The Wolverines took an 11-9 lead in the third set after a block assist by Vagana and Hailey Cuff. As it looked like UVU would pull away, NC State went on a 5-1 run to go up 14-12. The Wolfpack would use a second run to go up 18-14 and put the set out of reach.
 
The Wolfpack clinched the match with an 11-3 run in the final set to secure the season-opening victory.
 
Several Wolverines debuted, with Chism leading UVU in assists with 17 in the match. Lani Matavao recorded 18 of UVU's 43 digs, Vittoria Price added two kills, Madi Standifird had a dig, and Molly Cummard came off the bench to serve.
 
Utah Valley will meet Utah this evening at 6:00 p.m. MT inside Lockhart Arena. The Wolverines will look to avenge their loss to NC State tomorrow with a 6:00 p.m. MT match against the Wolfpack.