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Show B6 Monday © September 22, 2008 Sports Briefs Cross Country captains named Utah Valley University head cross country coach Scott Houk announced his 2008 men's and women \s cross country team captains Wednesday. Houle announced that his men's team will be led by two local runners, redshirt senior Danny Moody from Provo (Timpview H.S.) and redshirt sophomore Jared Keller from Orem (Mountain View H.S.). This season Keller has led UVU with a 12th-place finish at the BYU Autumn Classic and a seventh-place finish at the Idaho State Invitational. Moody also finished ninth at the ISU Invitational. The women's team will also be led by a pair of Utahans, redshirt junior Ashley Holm from Murray (Murray H.S.) and junior Trisha Coombs from Bountiful (Woods Cross H.S.). Holm and Coombs are among the most experienced runners on the women's side and Houle will count on them to lead his squad. Dave Iba/ UVU Review Outside hitter Lanni O'Reilly goes after the ball as the Wolverines swept the weekend matches against North Texas and Idaho State. Wolverines benefit from playing at home Dave Iba/ UVU Review Junior Allyce Wilson reacts to the Wolverines superb play at home. Road Tested? Sports editor One thing that's always plagued UVU has been winning on the road. As the women's soccer team heads out on its first road trip and the volleyball team takes off for yet another tough trip, the records of both teams may suffer. For the first time this season the women's volleyball team experienced h o m e court advantage and the crowd was certainly a boost. "We have had some tough losses, so it was exciting to come home and do what we know how to," sophomore Kayli Broadbent said. The team put forth the best offensive attack of the season. Broadbent came in with 16 kills and Garfield, the freshman outside hitter, also had 1 1 kills. Although North Texas put up a good fight, they never took the lead by more than 2 points the entire match. The Wolverines finished them off 25-20, 25-19, and 25-16. "The energy was just prcat," said coach Sam Atoa. 'The girls were jumping higher and hitting the ball harder, it's what home does for you. It was great for their confidence." It's been quite a struggle for the team thus far this season — last week's invitational was the first time the girls have won this year. Both the Utah Invitational in Salt Lake and Jayhawk Invitational in Kansas took a beating on the girls that has enabled them to regroup into a better team. "We have had a bit of a struggle the last couple of weeks and we've done some things that we haven't done very well previously," Atoa said. Things are looking up for the Wolverines as they will enjoy a short home stand before heading back out onto the road in October. The crowd showed its approval as the Wolverines rolled in straight sets. Unfortunately for the Wolverines the best example of struggling on the road happened to be last seasons women's basketball team. While they were undefeated at home, they struggled mightily in any game away from the McKay Center including a neutral-site game that took place at Timpanogos High school in Orem. Although it was the best season the Wolverines had experienced — including 16 wins and receiving a vote in the top 25 poll - the season was tainted by their struggles on the road. Arguably the best team in the Independent tournament last year, UVU was wiped off the court by less talented teams. In order for the Wolverines to make a name for Dave Iba/ UVU Review themselves in any sport, it that has seen the Wolverines the Wolverines need to capiwill require a strong show- start 0-5 before winning two talize in their home games, ing on the road as well as at matches at home, the wom- because there's no guaranhome. Before winning the en's volleyball team returns tee on the road. United Soccer Tournament for a string of five consecuchampionship - which was tive home matches. As has played on campus - the been the precedent for UVU, Wolverines had a measly 6-13-1 record. While not exactly respectable, UVU did win when it mattered most. However, if any team Women's golf is going to break the mold, at Bulldog & the lady Wolverine soccer Eagle Invitational team could be the team to do Sept. 22 it. Laden with players who have starting experience, Women's soccer UVU will look to turn things around as it travels to Arizoat New Mexico na to take on New Mexico of Sept. 26 the Mountain West Conference and Northern Arizona Volleyball this week. vs Weber Alumni Match After struggling through State Sept. 26 the beginning of the season Sept. 23 Broadbent, Wilson Named Conference Players of the Week Utah Valley's Kayli Broadbent and Allyce Wilson were honored as the Great West Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for the week ending Sept. 14, the league office announced on Tuesday. Broadbent earns her first offensive player of the week honor after setting a new season high for UVU with 18 kills In the 3-0 win over Idaho State. Broadbent also established a new season high for the Wolverines with a .542 hitting percentage (with 10 or more kills) in the 3-0 blanking of North Texas. For the week, the sophomore tallied 34 kills, a .414 hitting percentage with only 12 errors in 58 attacks. The Gilbert, Ariz, native was named MVP of the LaQuinta Invitational, which UVU hosted. Wilson captured her first weekly conference honor after guiding the Wolverines to a perfect 2-0 record last week. The junior was named to the LaQuinta Invitational All-Tournament Team after recording 36 digs in two matches, which was good enough for a six-dig match average. In only three sets in the 3-0 win over North Texas. Wilson posted 22 digs, her second time this season with 20-plusdigs. Real Salt Lake at San Jose Earthquakes Sept. 27, 8:00 p.m. Dave Iba/ UVU Review |