OREM, Utah – Utah Valley University defeated Abilene Christian, 3-0 (25-13, 30-28, 25-19) on Thursday night inside Lockhart Arena. Utah Valley (13-6, 4-3) recorded 16 blocks in the match for their second most this season. Middle blocker Bella Wooden led the way with nine blocks, nine kills, and four service aces. ACU 8-10 (3-4) kept it close in the second set and third sets behind 14 kills from Bryley Steinhilber.

"This was an awesome win, especially since we Dedicated it to a good friend who is battling cancer. We are so blessed to have these opportunities to participate in sports but at the same time we are mindful of those who are fighting a different battle. We love Steve Vail and his family and hope tonight's match will bring them the support and love they need," said UVU head coach Sam Atoa. 
 
The Wolverines took control in the first set as Sami Blackett tallied six kills in the opening set to finish hitting .500 when UVU as a team finished hitting .407 to take a 1-0 lead. An 11-1 run when leading 7-6 early aided Utah Valley. Abilene Christian was held to a .035 hitting percentage while UVU was strong at the net with six total blocks led by Wooden who finished with four block assists. Maranda Woolf, Blackett, and Eliza Hakes all finished with two.
 
Utah Valley used two 4-0 runs in the second set to take a 13-7 lead midway through the set. The Wildcats climbed back into the set and made it 16-14 UVU before Wooden added a kill before Madi Standifird and Woolf blocked Steinhilber. The Wolverines took a 19-14 edge after one of Wooden's aces. Abilene Christian fought through six set points and tied it at 24. Blackett made a diving stop to keep the ball in play and helped win the point with a block assist with her and Woolf. The match was tied up at 27 before ACU once again had set point, but a 3-0 run swung the outcome to the Wolverines, 30-28, after a kill from Standifird and Wooden.
 
The Wolverines used a 9-1 run to pull away in the third set while leading 6-3. Blackett served the next five balls while UVU turned up the pressure with blocks to get up 11-3. Wooden made it 13-4 after a service ace, and then a 3-0 run made it 17-5 UVU. Abilene Christian rallied and got back into the final set, but Standifird led the charge with four kills down the stretch to hold off the Wildcats, including a kill that made it 23-19. She later helped block Hannah Gonzalez for the match's final point. Blackett and Wooden added three kills.

Atoa said, "I am so happy with how our team continues to rally together. Our preparation is helping us succeed. I am so happy with the way we are executing our game plan and with Bella's game tonight both on offense and defense. What she did tonight compliments what Sami, Lani and Madi did to help us win. It's hard to narrow it down because everyone's contribution made a difference. Hopefully we can take this momentum into our CBU match Saturday."
 
Blackett finished the match with 15 kills for the Wolverines, while the freshman added six blocks and eight digs. Standifird finished with eight kills, three blocks, and eight digs. The Wolverines held Abilene Christian to a .083 hitting percentage, the second lowest of the season. They held Jacksonville to a .063 at the Classic City Clash in Athens, Ga.
 
The Wolverines will conclude the homestand against California Baptist on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 1:00 p.m. MT. Next week, they will be tested with a road contest in Phoenix against Grand Canyon on Thursday, Oct. 24, before hosting first-place UT Arlington on Saturday, Oct. 26.