Volleyball drops third straight match, falls to #16 BYU 3-0
After losing in back-to-back contests to in-state rivals Utah State and Weber State, the Wolverines fell to crosstown rival BYU in Provo.
The Utah Valley University volleyball team was defeated by the Brigham Young University Cougars 3-0 (25-16, 25-15,25-20) in Provo, Utah on Sep. 17. The Wolverines have now lost three straight matches after going on a five-game win streak earlier this season and fall to 5-6.
Avery Shewell and Tori Dorius led the Wolverines offensively, as Shewell tallied 11 kills and Dorius added 10 kills. Abbie Miller added in 15 assists, giving her teammates opportunities to score. On the defensive side of the ball, Bryton Nixon recorded 12 digs and Miller added 10.
Things started off just about even in the first set, with neither team giving an inch. After tying things at 6-6, BYU would go on an extended 8-0 run to claim a 14-6 lead. The Wolverines attempted to battle back late, down 20-11 with a 3-0 run. However, BYU would go on another 3-0 run of their own to ice the first set 25-16.
The second set went downhill fast for the Wolverines, as BYU opened the period with an 8-0 run. The Wolverines attempted to battle their way back into the contest, but never came closer than within six points, eventually losing 25-15.
Down two sets, the Wolverines would attempt to show they still had some life left, battling hard in the final set. After falling behind 20-13 and the match appearing just about out of reach, UVU would rally off a 5-1 run to cut the deficit to three. Unable to stop the BYU offense, the Wolverines battled to the bitter end and fell in the final set 25-20.
The Wolverines fall to 10th in the Western Athletic Conference standings and 5-6 on the season. On Thursday, Sep. 22, UVU travels to St. George, Utah to complete their in-state rival tour, taking on Utah Tech.. The match tips off at 6 p.m. MT and can be streamed on ESPN+.
Sports Editor and Senior Staff Writer
Senior at Utah Valley University majoring in applied communications.