UVU Spikers drop first two games

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Aug 28, 2015, 9:23 PM MST |

Last Updated Aug 28, 9:23 PM MST

Not the start the Wolverines wanted

Kyle McDonald | Sports writer | @kylesportsbias

Malibu, CA — When the Utah Valley University volleyball team travelled to Malibu for the Pepperdine Asics Classic, they were hoping to come out with a victories and success. Day one of the tournament was not kind to the Wolverines as they lost their first match to UC Santa Barbara in three sets, 25-19, 25-22, and 26-24.

Lexi Thompson led the Wolverines with eight kills while preseason Western Athletic Conference Play of the Year, Lauren Bakker had seven kills and eight blocks. Sierra Starley also had 13 assists for the Wolverines.

It wasn’t enough to overcome a 17-kill night by the Gauchos Ali Barbeau and 17 assists from Hanna Nielson.

In their second match of the night, the Wolverines took on the host Pepperdine Waves. The Waves made quick work of the Wolverines as they took the match in three sets by a scores of 25-20, 25-16, and 25-16. Nikki Lyons was one of three Waves to have double-digit kills in the match as she had 15. Heidi Dyer had 13 kills and Gaby Palmeri chipped in with 10. Becca Strehlow had a game-high 37 assists in the win.

Lexi Thompson and Abby Jensen both recorded eight kills in the match and Sierra Starley recorded 19 more assists in a losing effort.

The UVU spikers will look to pick up their first win of the season in the finale of the Pepperdine Asics Classic when they take on Incarnate Word at 11:00 a.m. MT on Saturday.