SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Valley University fell on Saturday afternoon in a five-set battle with the University of Utah at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. The match was the final exhibition of the season after the scrimmage on Wednesday inside Lockhart Arena.
 
"When you start the season against a good team like Utah, it presents a lot of challenges. I felt like, for the most part, we did a good job of handling the challenges," said UVU head coach Sam Atoa. "I'm excited about the season and what lies ahead for us; we have limitless potential for what this season could bring."
 
The Wolverines were picked third in the WAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, which was announced on Friday. Lani Matavao was named the league's Preseason Libero of the Year, and Avery Shewell was named to the Preseason All-WAC team.
 
UVU will officially open the 2024 season on Aug. 30, when they host Eastern Washington at noon inside Lockhart Arena as part of the Utah Valley Invitational. They will play Kansas City at 7:00 p.m. MT that night before wrapping up the opening weekend with a Saturday 2:00 p.m. MT contest with CSU Bakersfield.