OREM, Utah – Utah Valley fell on Saturday afternoon to Grand Canyon, 3-0 (26-28, 14-25,21-25). GCU (9-5, 2-1) used a 16-8 advantage in blocks to top UVU (10-6, 1-3).
Maranda Woolf had a career-high six blocks in the match for the Wolverines, with four coming to help lead a third-set comeback that fell short.
The match's opening set was a back-and-forth battle. The Wolverines got out to a 6-1 lead early in the set taking advantage of a pair of GCU errors and a block assist by
Eliza Hakes and Woolf.
Avery Shewell recorded seven kills in the set to help Utah Valley take a 17-13 lead before the Lopes took advantage of some UVU errors and tied the set up at 18-18. They took their first lead of the set at 20-19 after a kill from Preseason WAC Player of the Year, Tatum Parrott, before she and Shewell would trade kills to keep the set tied. The set favored Grand Canyon, a kill by Parrott, and a block assist.
Grand Canyon got out to an 11-2 lead in the second set and went on to win the set 25-14. The Lopes held a 7-1 advantage in total blocks during the set.
Madi Standifird came off the bench to lead UVU with three kills. Freshman
Alyssa Anderson made her UVU debut during the second set and recorded her first career assist on a kill by Standifird before later recording two digs.
The Lopes looked to be in control early in the third set and built a 14-7 lead before a 6-0 run by the Wolverines to cut the deficit down to 14-13. During the stretch,
Lani Matavao had a pair of service aces, and
Steliyana Chakarova, Blackett, and Woolf helped with blocks. Utah Valley kept the pressure on GCU with kills by Hakes, and a setter dump from
Natalie Palmer kept UVU within one at 18-17. GCU outscored the Wolverines 7-4 the rest of the way to secure the win.
The Wolverines will have some time off before playing against Tarleton State on Saturday, Oct. 12, in Stephenville, Texas. The first serve is slated for Noon MT. Utah Valley will then have a busy week with three matches at home, as Seattle, Abilene Christian, and California Baptist will visit Lockhart Arena.
