Facing one of the top teams in the Western Athletic Conference, the Southern Utah University women’s volleyball team hosted Utah Valley University on Saturday, Oct. 18 in the America First Event Center.
Southern Utah battled but was swept by the Wolverines 3-0. With the loss, Southern Utah falls to 2-15 on the year and 1-5 in the WAC. UVU improves to 9-9 on the season and 5-1 in conference play.
Set one
Southern Utah opened up set one in a strong way. Six different players recorded a kill for SUU in the first eight points. The score was tied up at 10 when Utah Valley kicked it into gear. Utah Valley would go on a 10-3 run led by Avery Page, taking a 20-13 lead.
Southern Utah strung together five straight points late, but a service error from Addyson McArthur and an attack error from Victoria Zibeechi gave UVU the 25-20 win.
Set two
Aiming to bounce back from set one, SUU kept it close early. The score was all tied up at five when UVU turned on the jets.
The Wolverines went on a 13-5 run led by Alyvia Jaffa and attack errors from Southern Utah. UVU’s Jaffa recorded two kills in this span, and SUU added six errors.
Utah Valley would hold off another mini run from Southern Utah at the end of the set and win 25-17. UVU would look to complete their third straight sweep in conference play.
Set three
It was all UVU in set three. The Wolverines got out to a 10-3 start and never looked back. Southern Utah struggled with their attacking, recording a -.028 percent attacking percentage.
Utah Valley dominated all set long, winning the set 25-14 and completing the three set sweep. It is the eighth time this year SUU has been swept.
What’s next?
Southern Utah stays home to host Abilene Christian University on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 12:30 p.m. in the America First Event Center. This game can also be streamed live on ESPN+.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Heather Turner