UVU women’s volleyball notched another Great West Conference win in a four-set match against New Jersey Institute of Technology Nov. 12.
“I thought the girls played well,” said UVU coach Sam Atoa. “We lost our focus in the third set, but I was real proud of them for being able to bounce back and do very well in the fourth.”
The Wolverines took a lead about halfway into the first set which eventually gave them the set win at 25-14 with an 11-point lead.
In the second set UVU took an early lead, but halfway through the set NJIT began to close the gap to within just a few points. The Wolverines kept the lead throughout the set, but NJIT trailed by just a couple points. UVU won set two at 25-21.
NJIT came out strong in the third set, putting three points up before UVU hit the board. The Wolverines trailed early in the set but closed the gap, tying it at 9-9. NJIT took another lead and UVU kept the gap small but ultimately couldn’t close it giving the set to NJIT 25-19.
The fourth set decided the match. The Wolverines took a small lead and that lead continued to rise to a 16-point advantage, giving UVU the set at 25-9.
Kayli Broadbent finished the match with a total of 16 kills and 10 digs. Camie Manwill finished with 17 kills and 13 digs. Allyce Jones had a total of 16 digs, Kathleen Stevens 11, and Chelsea Fa’alogo finished with a big 41 assists.
This match was the final home game for seniors Jones, Manwill and Marla Morin. Jones and Manwill have played their entire career for UVU while Morin has played two seasons as a transfer.
“It’s an emotional night and its always good to be able to close out at home on a good note,” said Atoa. “Each of them (seniors) have played a different role and are very significant in what we’re trying to accomplish this year. I’m real proud of them for the sacrifice and the effort that they’ve put into making this season as it has been.”
Jones, the teams libero, is currently the school’s dig leader with 562 and is ranked 16th in the nation.
“It’s been amazing. So freaking fun,” said Jones. “You make relationships that we’ve never had and that we’ll have for the rest of our lives. We have amazing coaches and it makes a big difference.”
Manwill, who battled injury last season, is the school’s current kills leader with 1,488.
“No matter winning or loosing, we’re always having fun together. We get over things together and we triumph from the things we do well together,” said Manwill.
Morin, who came to UVU as a transfer from Portland State, and has been with the Wolverines for two seasons and was limited during her junior season due to injury, said, “It’s been a lot of fun. This team is a lot of fun and the coaching staff is just great.”
The Wolverines will now head to Houston for the Great West Conference Championships on November 19-21.
