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Show SPORTS C5 Volleyball push es 2 nights of consecutive matches Shane Maryott/UVU Review Andrea Lindgren/UVU Review Senior Taryn Eldredge battles for the ball in a recent game against South Dakota. Soccer sweeps 4-game homestand By Matt Petersen Asst. Sports Editor It turns out all the heavy lifting against tough non-conference competition paid off. The Wolverines soccer team swept their four-game homestand, which included three conference victories over Houston Baptist, North Dakota and South Dakota. UVU (7-7-1) led the Great West Conference West Division as of last Monday. The dent on the wins column is a welcome change after a trying start to the season. UVU won 3- of12 non-conference games, managing only 10 goals in that span while giving up 21. Head Coach Brent Anderson stressed the team's early-season struggles against high caliber opponents were necessary to prepare for conference play. "We set up a very tough preconference schedule to prepare us for conference," Anderson said. "That's what it does for us. These teams are the teams we're comparable to." The seniors have risen to the occasion, spearheading the four- game winning streak by accounting for nine of UVU's 13 goals in that span. Katey Turner scored two of the team's four goals in their 4-1 win over South Dakota, while Taryn Eldredge punched in her first goal since her freshman year in the Wolverines' 3-0 shutout over North Dakota State. *d Everybody hates losing. We were sick of it. We were playing hard teams, but I think it prepared us for what we're doing now, learning what we need to do to win. 5 J -Lauren Bluth The seniors' collective timing was appropriate, given it was the last homestand of their respective careers. Even in the midst of the winning streak, Anderson has sought to fine-tune the team's overall consistency. Against South Dakota, a fluid attack that yielded three firsthalf goals gave way to choppy play in the second half. "I think we did generate a lot of attack," Anderson said after the win. "1 would have liked to have been a little more clinical in finishing [the game]. A little bit more accurate. But it's great to get four goals and another conference win." Senior defender Kendra Buchanan, who leads the team in assists, echoed Anderson's emphasis on execution. "[Moving the ball] really keeps us calm," Buchanan said. "When we're just kicking the ball, it really doesn't do us any good. Passing is always stressed." The turnaround has the Wolverines feeling better about themselves and their potential. "Everybody hates losing," Buchanan said, following the victory over South Dakota. "We were sick of it. We were playing hard teams, but I think it prepared us for what we're doing now, learning what we need to do to win." Junior middle blocker/outside hitter Chelsey Heaps goes up for a kill in a recent game against SUU. By Kira Terry on a three game winning streak. Early in the season the WolverSports Editor ines faced the Broncos taking a 0-3 loss. Last week the Utah Valley "We had our opportunities up women's volleyball team finished at their place, but they executed their non-conference play hosting very well so the girls were really Southern Utah University and hungry for this match. I was reBoise State on Oct. 19 and 20. ally proud of them being able to First they faced in-state oppocome back and execute really nent SUU for the second meeting well," said Atoa. this season. They first met a little In last week's match, Utah over three weeks ago sweeping Valley took the first two sets SUU 3-0. looking to sweep the Broncos, Last week's match against the but Boise State took the third Southern Utah Thunderbirds was set, sending the match into a a lengthy five set slug-fest ending fourth set. Utah Valley rapped it in a 3-2 win for the Wolverines. up in the fourth set taking a 3-1 "They [SUU] really played hard and it gave us a huge chal- win over Boise State. Doxey again lead the team lenge, but I was proud of our girls offensively, finishing with 11 being able to keep their compokills and seven digs. Robison, sure and just get out there and be confident in their ability to play. Campbell and Chelsey Heaps all And that's what allowed us to be followed with eight kills apiece able to make those comebacks while Sarah Clement put down and to win those close sets," said seven. Senior Libero Kathleen Stevens finished with 11 digs and Coach Sam Atoa. Utah Valley posted high num- four assists. The Wolverines will now have bers with senior All-star Kayli a short break before returning to Doxey leading the roster offenGreat West Conference play this sively with 21 kills, 12 digs and Thursday as they host South Datwo service aces. Freshman Lindkota at 7:00 p.m. and then on Satsay Barker followed Doxey with a career high 11 kills and four urday as they host North Dakota digs while senior Dani Robison at 3:00 p.m. "The next two matches are and junior Jaicee Kuresa both had huge for us," said Atoa. "We nine. Freshman standout Brookehope to be able to get ourselves lyn Campbell finished with 47 asprepared for South Dakota and sists, eight kills and 17 digs. North Dakota." The Wolverines then entered the contest against Boise State GOLF from C3 the tournament after his opening round mark of 69, finished at 80 "Andrew bounced back nice- which tied him with junior teamly," Curran said. mate Joey Olson at 41st in the The Wolverines had been tournament standings. Olson shot tied for last place after the open- a 73 on the second day, which ing round, but with the 287, they was a team best for the day. Carmoved up to 14th overall, follow- lin scored a 76 on the second day ing the first day of the tourna- to tie him for 48th overall to close ment. out the tournament. On Oct. 12 the men's golf The men's golf team will be team shot a team-worst high score back in action Monday and Tuesof the season with 308. The men day competing in the Bill Cullum finished tied for an unsatisfying Invitational at Simi Valley, Cali14th place to end the tournament. fornia. This will mark the men's "It was disappointing to finish golf teams' last tournament of the this way after such a great round first half of the season as winter [the first day]," Curran said. "We approaches. They will start up are struggling to be consistent. again on February 14-15, 2011, We got off to a round start and we for the Southern Utah University couldn't turn it around." Pat Hicks Thunderbird InvitaTarasiewicz, who was tied for tional in St. George. 17th entering the second day of Courtesy of UVU Athletics Junior Nicholas Tarasiewicz finished 41st in the most recent tournament. |