Photo by Byron Harward
The UVU volleyball team gave a tough test to the No. 9 team in the nation, Kansas, as they opened the Wolverine Invitational Thursday night. The Wolverines ultimately fell in a 3-0 sweep but kept each set close in the first home game of the season.
The Wolverines kept it close all throughout the beginning of the first set. Lexi Thompson kept the Wolverines in the first set with four kills. The Wolverines stayed close through the first set but the Jayhawks continued to use their upfront dominance to win the first set 25-20.
In the second set the Jayhawks continued to control the match, capitalizing on the errors made by the Wolverines. The Jayhawks scored four straight points to increase their lead to five. The Wolverines were unable to recover after giving up the largest lead in the set. The Jayhawks took the second set by a score of 25-19.
In the third set the Wolverines came out strong with two straight points to open the set. The set continued to go back and forth with neither team leading by more than two. After a media timeout, Kansas came storming back, increasing their lead to four. The Wolverines continued to show grit as they continued to battle late in the third set. Stacey Allred registered three kills to keep the Wolverines stay close.
Late in the third set UVU came out strong by scoring 3 unanswered points but the rally came up short as the Jayhawks win the final set to take the match 3-0.
Thompson was a strong player up front for the Wolverines. She tied a season best with 12 kills and a hitting percentage of .346. Allred was also able to help the Wolverines by registering 10 kills and three digs.
The Wolverines will continue in the Wolverine Invitational facing Montana Friday at 5 p.m.
