MANOA, Hawai'i – Utah Valley University defeated San José State 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-19) on Wednesday afternoon. It marked the first sweep of the season for the Wolverines (2-2), who hit .303 in the match while holding the Spartans (0-3) to a .168 hitting percentage.
 
Utah Valley's offense posted a season-high .407 hitting percentage in the first set behind five kills from Avery Page on nine swings. Bella Wooden and Steliyana Chakarova each added three kills, helping setter Evalyn Chism establish an early rhythm with 13 of her 34 assists in the match. Wooden tallied three kills on four swings, including a key one at 21-21 to tie the set after San José State briefly led. Wooden and Chakarova then teamed for a block to give UVU the lead, and three consecutive Spartan errors helped the Wolverines close the set 25-23.
 
The second set started with a quick 3-0 UVU lead, highlighted by a service ace from Sami Blackett. After the Spartans tied it at 8-8, Utah Valley answered with a run sparked by back-to-back block assists—Wooden teaming with Blackett for one and Chakarova for the other. Lani Matavao added a service ace to force a San José State timeout. The Wolverines led 19-14 and looked poised to close the set, but the Spartans cut the lead to 24-23 before Wooden sealed the frame out of a timeout.
 
Utah Valley again opened strong in the third set, taking a 3-0 lead with contributions from Blackett and Wooden, plus a service ace by Natalie Riggs, who moved past Camie Manwill for eighth all-time in-service aces with 110 in her career. Despite a few Spartan rallies, the Wolverines held control, highlighted by consecutive kills from Alyssa Erickson and Page to push the score to 18-13. Madi Standifird, playing for the first time this season, added three kills in the set, including the match-clincher to complete the sweep.
 
Page finished one kill shy of a double-double with nine kills and 11 digs. Five Wolverines hit better than .300: Chakarova, Alyvia Jaffa, Page, Standifird and Wooden.
 
UP NEXT
Utah Valley faces St. John's on Thursday (Sept. 4) at 8:45 p.m. MT. The Red Storm won more than 20 matches last season and advanced to the Fab 4 of the NIVC. The match will also be the first in history of the two programs.