Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Utah Valley
'Cats fall in five sets to Wolverines
9/21/2011 5:22:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
OGDEN, Utah - The Wildcats were ready for battle on Tuesday night, but ultimately came up just a bit short of their first win of the season.
Junior outside hitter Bethany Wray had 18 kills to lead the Weber State University women's volleyball team against in-state rival Utah Valley, but the Wolverines made just enough played to claim the five-set marathon 25-21, 22-25, 25-16, 26-28, 15-8 at Swenson Gym.
"I was proud of the way we competed tonight," Weber State coach Tom Peterson said. "Utah Valley is a good volleyball team and we competed hard against them. I told the girls in the locker room afterwards that if they keep competing like that, the wins will come."
Wray also added 12 digs for Weber State, notching her fourth double-double of the season. The West Haven, Utah-native also had a season high four service aces and two blocks.
After struggling with their blocking game for the last handful of matches, WSU's blockers put on a strong performance in finishing with 15 team blocks, the second highest mark of the season.
Sophomore Briana Wilms and redshirt freshman Ashley Orr each had six blocks. Junior setter Caitlin Penrod had 34 assists, four blocks, five digs, five kills and a trio of service aces for the Wildcats.
After falling by four in the first set, the Wildcats jumped out to a commanding 21-11 lead in the second and held off the Wolverines to level the match at 1-1. It was Weber State's first set victory since its five-set match with Utah State on Sept. 6. WSU had six of its nine service aces in the set.
Utah Valley came out strong in the third set, but Weber State again rallied to tie the match at 2-2 with a nail-biting fourth set. The Wildcats didn't lead in the fourth set until edging ahead 22-21 and then battled fiercely to close out the set.
After trading points early in the fifth set, the Wolverines pulled away from a 6-6 tie to close out the match.
Weber State will return to action on Friday night against Big Sky Conference rival Idaho State at Reed Gym in Pocatello, Idaho. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
