Kenzie Jones, Sports Editor, @KenzieScribbler
Utah Valley University volleyball dropped their 2014 season opener in straight sets to Kansas University today. The Jayhawks win was the 700th win in the program’s 40 year history. The final scores being 25-11, 25-16, 25-18.
When taking the court UVU volleyball didn’t look intimidated at the prospect of playing a team that made their first NCAA Sweet 16 appearance last season. Kansas jumped out to an early 8-0 lead. The initial charge was lead by Dockyer and Soucie by scoring seven of the Jayhawks first eight points. The lady Wolverines slowly battled back, but couldn’t build enough of a rally to get closer then 16-11.
After dropping the opening set the lady Wolverines held in there during the early part of the frame. Both teams seesawed back and forth for the first few points, but KU slipped in a slight advantage of 15-12. Soon after senior Kalani Norris and freshman Sierra Starley converted back-to-back kills putting UVU within one of Kansas. The contest ended quickly after that as the lady Jayhawks with a block-kill combo.
Kanas took and early lead in the third set when McClinton opened by registering kills on three of the first four points. After that the lady Wolverines battled strongly to keep up with Kansas for much of the set by featuring several ties. The first one thanks to sophomore Macky Treanor as she got hot and slammed home consecutive kills bringing the score to 12-all. Next was the back-to-back kills by Kiahna Steiner and Nakisha Willden to bring the frame at 14-14. The last tie of the game came after an ace from McKenna Tait. It was looking like UVU was going to pull off winning this set. Then Utah Valley made and attacking error giving a chance for McClinton to take a Kill and seal in the Jayhawks sweep.
This game was the first in the Kansas Invitational taking place at KU’s Horejsi Family Athletics Center, Lawrence, Kansas. Wolverine volleyball will be facing Creighton at 4:30p.m. MT this evening for their next game.
