Kenzie Jones, Sports Editor, @KenzieScribbler
On Thursday night after taking the first set the Wolverines fell to the first-place Missouir-Kanasa City Kangaroos. The way loss for Utah Valley dropped their WAC play down to 2-2 while the Kangaroos improved to 3-0. The game with final scores of 25-22, 22-25, 21-25, 21-25 also marks UMKC’s 10th straight win.
The Wolverines had trouble starting the game as the ‘Roos doubled the score of 6-12 early in the first set. Kalani Norris found an opening and led the Wolverines to a 9-3 run, tying the frame at 15-all. The UVU strike back started when Norris posted five of her set-high six kills during the run. The score was later tied again at 17-17 and UVU reeled off three straight points to find a 20-17 lead. UMKC cut the score to one a bit to late in the frame as Utah Valley managed to hold the lead and take the first set.
UVU kept their momentum going as they rolled into the second set. The score remained tight up until the ‘Roos managed to score three unanswered points to take a 14-17 lead in the middle of the frame. From there it looked like UVU had to fight harder then before in trying to gain back a tie or lead. It was a losing battle as Missouri-Kansas City managed to hold the set in their favor up to the end.
The third set showed neither team taking control as the score bounced back and forth for the majority of the time. The ‘Roos were the first to break the cycle as they gained a little breathing room via a four-point advantage (15-19). They held their lead from there as they took the set by four points.
UMKC rolled their momentum over into the final frame as they took a fast and decisive advantage of 5-10. Try as they might the Wolverines were never able to get any foothold to pull out a strong late comeback. They did manage to pull the score to within three a couple of times, but weren’t able to convert anything into a reversal. Missouri-Kansas City finished off the match by taking the set.
The lady Wolverines will continue their Midwest tour at Chicago State on Saturday afternoon. The match will start at 11:00a.m. MT.
