OREM — Following a hiatus of nearly two weeks, the Utah Valley State women's volleyball team gets back in action tonight, hosting South Dakota State at 7 p.m. in the Shurian Family Activity Center.
Tonight's match against the Jackrabbits marks the first of four home matches in a 10-day span that will wrap up the regular season for UVSC (11-10), which last played Oct. 14 at North Dakota State.
Utah Valley State currently finds itself mired in a four-match losing streak. The slide began with sweeps at the hands of No. 17 BYU and No. 9 Utah on Oct. 3 and 10, respectively, and then continued during a road trip two weeks ago to the Dakotas where the Wolverines lost in three straight to the Jackrabbits before suffering a four-game defeat at the hands of NDSU.
In addition to the steady and dependable play of senior setter Lacee Koelliker (11.26 assists per game) and junior middle blocker Jessica Endres (team-best .339 hitting percentage), the Wolverines will rely on outside hitters Camie Manwill and Ashley Brown (career-high 17 kills in the loss to NDSU) as they try to end their slump.
Other upcoming home matches include a rematch with North Dakota State at 1 p.m. Saturday as well as dates with Montana State and Texas-Pan American next weekend.
After its four-match home stand, UVSC travels to Fargo for the Division I Independent Championship Nov. 10 and 11, where the Wolverines will attempt to defend their title from a year ago.
The week that was
WOMEN'S SOCCER: In a season in which they've performed markedly better on the road, the Wolverines (1-5-1 home, 5-4 road) held true to form last week with a 1-0 home loss Friday to South Dakota State and a 3-2 overtime victory Saturday at Southern Utah. UVSC's offense looked extremely sluggish against the Jackrabbits, mustering only one shot on goal for the entire game. The next day in Cedar City, however, it was a much different story as the Wolverines overcame a 2-1 deficit in the final minute of regulation to force sudden-death overtime and subsequently win on a golden goal by sophomore forward Jenni Wright in the third minute of extra play.
MEN'S GOLF: Competed Monday and Tuesday at the Santa Clara Invitational in San Jose, Calif. After shooting a 21-over par 309 in the first round Monday, the Wolverines shot an even-par 288 to pull into a tie with the host Broncos for 10th place in the 12-team field heading into the final round of play Tuesday. Senior Nic van Vuuren led the charge back, improving from a 7-over 79 in the first round to a second-round score of 3-under 69.
On tap
WOMEN'S SOCCER: at Loyola Marymount, 4 p.m. today.
CROSS COUNTRY: at the Independent Nationals in Fort Wayne, Ind., all day Saturday.
MEN'S GOLF: at the Bill Cullum Invitational in Simi Valley, Calif., Sunday through Tuesday.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: exhibition game vs. Dixie State, 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
MEN'S BASKETBALL: exhibition game vs. Dixie State, 7:05 p.m. Wednesday.