OGDEN, Utah – Bella Wooden recorded a career-high 13 blocks, tied for the third most in a single match in program history, as Utah Valley defeated Weber State 3-1 (25-21, 23-25, 25-23, 25-23) on Thursday night at Swenson Gym.
Sami Blackett posted a season-high 21 kills, while
Avery Page finished with 16. Weber State (8-3) was led by Ashley Gneiting, who had 15 kills.
The Wolverines rallied from an early deficit in the first set to take a 13-9 lead after three straight points on block assists, with Wooden and
Olivia Gloeckner teaming up for two and Wooden combining with Blackett for the third. Page kept the Wildcat defense off balance with a mix of swings and tips, finishing with six kills on eight swings in the opening frame. Wooden's second service ace of the set forced a Weber State timeout with UVU ahead 18-14. The Wolverines went on to win the opener 25-21, hitting .375 with four team blocks.
Weber State capitalized on three early service errors from Utah Valley in the second and used a mid-set run to pull even. The Wildcats outhit UVU to take the set and tie the match at 1-1.
In the third,
Lani Matavao moved into the top 10 in career digs at UVU, passing Brookelyn Hall (eighth) and Kazna Tanuvasa (seventh). With Matavao serving, the Wolverines went on an 8-1 run highlighted by an ace and a WSU misplay, turning a 10-10 tie into a 13-10 lead. Tied again at 21 after a Weber State rally, Blackett put UVU ahead before back-to-back blocks from Wooden and
Steliyana Chakarova pushed the Wolverines to set point. UVU closed out the frame on a WSU attack error.
The Wildcats built a 12-6 lead in the fourth, but Utah Valley responded with a 4-0 run capped by kills from Blackett and Page and a Wooden block. The teams traded points to a 15-15 tie before UVU's front row came up big late. Wooden tied the set at 22 with a kill, then combined with
Alyvia Jaffa and freshman
Lauren Feiler on a series of blocks to reach match point. Wooden sealed the win with her final kill.
Page finished with her seventh double-double of the season (16 kills, 16 digs), the 22nd of her career. Wooden moved into the program's top five in career solo blocks (31) and climbed to ninth all-time in total blocks (277).
UP NEXT: Utah Valley closes nonconference play Saturday, Sept. 20, against No. 16 BYU at 3 p.m. MT inside the UCCU Center. The match will stream on ESPN+ with live stats at UVUstats.com.
