California Baptist University
1-19,1-7WAC
Utah Valley University
14-6,5-3WAC
CBU Battles UVU in Five-Set Thriller
10/19/2024 2:45:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
OREM, UT--- The California Baptist volleyball team headed to Orem, Utah, on Saturday afternoon to compete against Utah Valley. The five-set thriller ultimately went the Wolverines' way, dropping CBU to 1-19 on the year and 1-7 in Western Athletic Conference play.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
CBU got out to a slow start against the Wolverines as Utah Valley recorded multiple five-or-more point runs in the first set. The Lancers found their footing and, after whittling down UVU's lead to four courtesy of a block from Laura Walewska, it would be a back-and-forth affair to the final point. The squads battled to a 25-25 tie and forced extra points while trading opportunities to take the first frame. In the end, Eliana Posada came up big for the away team with a block for the 29th point before delivering the set-winning kill to give CBU the 30-28 victory.
After a first-set comeback, California Baptist kept their momentum going into the second set and gained control quickly. Utah Valley managed to put a pair of points on the board before the Lancers would go on an 8-1 run to give themselves a healthy lead that would never be relinquished through the set. CBU secured the second set 25-18 for their biggest win of the day. The Wolverines came back with a vengeance in the third frame, and after some back-and-forth from both squads, UVU would pull away after tallying eight continuous points. CBU slowly chipped away at the lead but was ultimately unable to make a complete comeback, falling 25-19.
The fourth set was similar to the third and went in favor of the home team in a 25-21 decision. The Wolverines came out hot on the attack, pushing their offense through freshman Sandy Blackett, who accounted for 33 kills, but CBU continued to fight with solid defense to keep the frame close. The Wolverines refused to give up their slight lead and took the fourth set to force a final fifth frame. The final set of the day saw the Wolverines jump out to a quick three-point lead that the home squad refused to relinquish. The Lancers continued to fight back and never allowed UVU to go on any significant runs to keep the win within reach, but ultimately, the 15-10 set would go to the Wolverines.
STATISTICAL NOTABLES:
Madison Gilliland came up with a season-high nine blocks against the Wolverines, besting her previous high of seven against Nevada. Posada, Mauser, and Kali Wolf all claimed double-digit kills in Orem, with Wolf leading the way with 13.
California Baptist will now return to the Van Dyne Gym as they welcome Southern Utah on Thursday evening as WAC play continues.
