OREM, Utah – Utah Valley women's volleyball is set to play a pair of exhibition matches this week, starting with the Green and White scrimmage on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 6:00 p.m. MT inside Lockhart Arena. They will head north on Saturday, Aug. 24, for a 2:00 p.m. MT tilt with Utah from the John M. Huntsman Center.
 
WELCOME BACK, WOLVERINES
Avery Shewell returns to help lead the UVU offensive attack after having a career season in 2023. The junior recorded 347 kills, 37 service aces, and 80 blocks to help lead Utah Valley to a 12-17 season last year. She is joined by WAC All-Freshmen team member Lani Matavao, who will hold down the libero position for the Wolverines. Evalyn Chism is poised to start at setter this season after having 427 assists in her first year in Orem.
 
LAST TIME OUT AGAINST THE UTES
Utah Valley's first win of the 2023 campaign came over Utah 3-1 at last year's Utah Valley Invitational.  Shewell and Tori Ellis each had 11 kills in the match, but it was UVU's 16 blocks that made the difference, as Caleigh Vagana had 10 in the match as the Utes were limited to a .101 hitting percentage in the defeat.
 
ABOUT UTAH
The Utes were picked to finish ninth by the Big 12 coaches in their first year in the conference. They are led by All-Big 12 preseason pick Lauren Jardine, who tallied 295 kills last year, and middle blocker Emrie Satuala added 216 kills and 112 blocks to be a true double threat at the net. They are bringing back a trio of fifth-year players, including libero Vanessa Ramirez.
 
AVCA TEAM ACADEMIC AWARD
The American Volleyball Coaches Association announced the 2024 Team Academic Award presented by INTENT. The Wolverines earned the designation for the seventh consecutive season and their 12th award since 2009. UVU remains one of the top academic programs, with 11 earning the distinction of Academic All-WAC. Shewell, Hailey Cuff, Vagana, and Ellis were named College Sports Communicators Academic All-District.
 
SEASON TICKETS
Utah Valley University volleyball season tickets are on sale now for the upcoming season, which will give you access to all UVU's home matches. Visit GoUVU.com/tickets. 
 
NEXT UP
The Wolverines officially start the 2024 season on Aug. 30 by hosting the Utah Valley Invitational. They will welcome Eastern Washington, Kansas City, and CSU Bakersfield in a three-game round-robin tournament. The opener is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 30, at noon against EWU before playing Kansas City at 7:00 p.m. MT. They will wrap up the tournament with CSU Bakersfield on Aug. 31 at 2:00 p.m. MT.