RALEIGH, N.C. – Coastal Carolina University defeated Utah Valley, 3-1 (25-22, 25-27, 25-21, 26-24) on Saturday afternoon at the Reynolds Coliseum. UVU (3-6) was led by a season-high effort from Avery Page who finished with 19 kills, ten digs, five blocks, and three service aces. Coastal Carolina (6-2) was led by Sun Belt Preseason Player of the Year Jalyn Stout who recorded a triple double with 14 kills, 14 digs, and 16 assists.
 
The opening set saw the Wolverines take an early 2-0 lead, highlighted by Sami Blackett's kill from a Natalie Riggs assist. Coastal Carolina responded by tying the score and eventually pushing ahead, capitalizing on a few attack errors from Utah Valley. Despite trailing 11-8, the Wolverines mounted a comeback with an ace from Page and strong defensive plays, including a block by Bella Wooden and Blackett, narrowing the gap to 14-11. A late surge from Utah Valley, including a crucial kill by Page from Evalyn Chism, tied the game at 18-18. However, Coastal Carolina edged ahead to take the set 25-22 to take the opening set.
 
Utah Valley started the second set with a quick kill from Steliyana Chakarova, assisted by Riggs, setting the tone for a tightly contested set. Despite ten ties and six lead changes, the Wolverines capitalized on ten Coastal Carolina combined errors in the set. Trailing 19-15 in the second, UVU took advantage of the errors with Alyssa Erickson recording two of her eight kills in the match. It's the third time this season that she has tallied eight kills in a match. The Chanticleers still work it to set point, but Page and Erickson went to work scoring four of the final six points to help UVU take the set. Freshman Lauren Feiler had a key kill to help close out the set in just her third collegiate match.
 
The third set began with the Wolverines jumping out an early 9-6 lead with Blackett and Page leading the charge and North Carolina native, Wooden added a service to help put the team in front. Coastal Carolina responded with a 6-0 run to jump in front 12-9. Page later in the set added a kill with an ace of her own to get the match within one at 16-15. The Chanticleers kept a steady offensive attack stayed in front. A final push from UVU would see them cut the deficit to one, but Coastal was able to stay in front.
 
Wolverines trailed Coastal Carolina  9-2 to start to the fourth set. Utah Valley responded with determination as Page's kill, at the 9-10 mark, sparked a rally that included a service ace by Chism, tying the score at 11. Coastal tried to pull away three times in the set, but UVU responded each time including taking a 16-11 lead after Steliyana Chakarova added a kill right after she and Jaffa blocked a ball from Julia Rivera. Despite holding a lead late in the set and looking like the Wolverines were going to play their third five-set match of the young season, their Sun Belt foes used a 6-1 run to tie the push their lead to 24-21 and settle on match point. The set was tied back up at 24 after Chakarova and Jaffa teamed up for a second block in the second, but Coastal came up with back-to-back blocks to secure the win.  
 
Chism finished with 21 assists for her 28^th consecutive match with at least 20 assists while she also recorded her 24^th career double-double.
 
UP NEXT
Utah Valley will close out the non-conference portion of the schedule with three in-state matches starting with Utah State on Tuesday, Sept. 16 inside the UCCU Center. They will travel to Weber State on Thursday, Sept. 18 before hosting No. 19 BYU on Saturday, Sept. 20.