LARAMIE, Wyo. — The Wyoming Cowgirl volleyball team rallied in exciting fashion on Friday to keep its season alive in the NIVC, recovering late in the fourth set and then hanging on in the decisive fifth set for a NIVC Super 16 victory over Utah Valley. The Cowgirls prevailed 25–20, 21–25, 23–25, 25–22, 15–12.
Wyoming looked strong in the first set. After briefly falling behind 14–13, a quick 5–0 run gave the Cowgirls a four-point lead and one they wouldn’t relinquish again in the set. UVU would respond, however, securing victory in sets two and three to push UW to the brink.
In the fourth, the Wolverines were up early in the set, 9–4, before a Cowgirl rally. The set featured 11 ties and four lead changes before Wyoming grabbed control to end the set on a 4–1 run.
In the final set, the Cowgirls looked to be well within control, taking a 12–5 lead in the frame. From there, the Wolverines responded in a big way, scoring the next six points to cut the deficit down to just one.
After the two teams traded kills to make it 13–12 in Wyoming’s favor, consecutive points from the Cowgirls ended the set and the match.
Emma Winter led a trio of Cowgirls with double-digit kills — 15 — on the night. Winter hit an impressive .452 in the victory and also recorded her first career double-double, as she set a career high with 15 digs. Sarah Holcomb and Paige Lauterwasser had 14 kills apiece. Holcomb also paced the Cowgirls at the net with nine blocks.
Kayla Mazzocca had nine kills and five total rejections. Kasia Partyka, Reagan Sharp and Clair Wagstaff all added three blocks in the win. In the back row, Sierra Grizzle added 12 digs while Lauterwasser also recorded a double-double, chipping in 11 digs.
