CEDAR CITY, Utah — Utah Valley University swept Southern Utah University, 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-14), on Saturday afternoon at the America First Event Center. UVU (9-9, 5-1) used a balanced offensive attack led by Alyssa Erickson, who finished with eight kills on 13 swings (.462), and sophomore middle blocker Alyvia Jaffa added six kills on eight attempts (.625) to get past SUU (2-15, 1-5).
 
Nine different Wolverines recorded kills in the match, which included five kills from Madi Standifird and one kill each from Maranda Woolf and Lauren Feiler, all of whom came in off the bench. Bella Wooden finished with six blocks to lead UVU while also adding five kills in the match. Setter Evalyn Chism helped run the offense, finishing with 28 assists in the match.
 
Utah Valley opened the match with steady play, quickly equalizing after an initial Southern Utah point. Erickson's early kill set the tone, while the team capitalized on Southern Utah's errors to keep the score tight. A key moment came as UVU tied the set at 5-5 with a block by Steliyana Chakarova and Jaffa.
 
As the set progressed, UVU gained momentum with a series of crucial plays, including kills by Jaffa and Wooden, allowing them to take an 8-7 lead. A service ace by Avery Page helped extend this advantage as UVU surged ahead to a 17-12 lead. Page and Wooden were instrumental, contributing significant points through both attack and defense. The match also marked a milestone for Wooden and Blackett, who both played in their 50th career matches. Despite a late rally from Southern Utah narrowing the gap to 23-20, UVU maintained composure. A block by Page and Wooden secured the final point, closing the set with a 25-20 victory.
 
Utah Valley opened the second set by capitalizing on Southern Utah's errors and establishing an early lead. Notable contributions came from Erickson, who delivered key kills assisted by Chism. Southern Utah managed to keep the score close early on, but Utah Valley pulled away with a sequence of points, including a decisive block from Blackett and Wooden.
 
As the set progressed, Utah Valley's offensive efforts were bolstered by the combined play of Jaffa and Page, who added significant kills to widen the margin. The team continued to pressure Southern Utah, converting errors into points and executing a balanced attack. Utah Valley closed the set with a strong performance, culminating in a kill by Erickson to seal a 25-17 victory.
 
Utah Valley initiated the third set with a strong opening, taking a 3-0 lead with contributions from Standifird and an ace by Chism. The early momentum continued as Utah Valley capitalized on Southern Utah's errors, extending its lead to 7-2 with a kill by Blackett and a block by Wooden.
 
Midway through the set, Utah Valley maintained its edge, reaching a 10-3 advantage. The visitors' defense, led by Woolf, who had two blocks in her season debut, forced multiple errors from Southern Utah, pushing the score to 15-5. Standifird and Blackett continued to execute effectively, increasing the lead to 19-9.
 
In the closing stages, Utah Valley's consistent pressure paid off, with Erickson and Woolf adding crucial points. Utah Valley closed the set decisively at 25-14, securing the set win.
 
UP NEXT
Utah Valley will play its first match of the season inside Lockhart Arena on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 1 p.m. MT. The match will be UVU's annual Lori Richards Memorial Pink Match. Following UT Arlington's win over Utah Tech today, the winner of the match will have sole possession of first place in the WAC.