LARAMIE, Wyo. (Dec. 6, 2024) – The Wyoming Cowgirl volleyball team rallied in exciting fashion Friday night to keep their season alive in the NIVC. Wyoming rallied late in the fourth set, trailing two sets to one and then hung on in the deciding fifth set for a NIVC Super 16 victory over Utah Valley in Laramie. Set scores went 25-20, 21-25, 23-25, 25-22 and 15-12.
Wyoming (17-12) looked strong in the first set Friday. After falling behind 14-13 in the first, a quick 5-0 run gave the Cowgirls a four-point lead and one they wouldn't relinquish again in the set. UVU (21-11) 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 late, ending the set on a 4-1 run. In the deciding fifth set, the Cowgirls looked to be well within control, taking a 12-5 lead in the frame. From there, the Wolverines would respond 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 favor of Wyoming, back-to-back points from the Cowgirls ended the set and the match as they advance to the Great 8 of the NIVC.
Wyoming hit .304 on the night while Utah Valley hit .244. The Cowgirls enjoyed a 16-11 advantage in total team blocks and had three more digs (52-49). The Wolverines had three more kills (66-63) on the night and had a plus-five (8-3) edge in service aces. UVU did commit six more serving errors, however.
Emma Winter led a trio of Cowgirls with double-digit kills with 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 to also lead Wyoming. Sarah Holcomb and Paige Lauterwasser had 14 kills apiece, with Holcomb hitting an even .400. Holcomb also paced the Cowgirls at the net with nine total blocks on the evening.
Kayla Mazzocca had nine kills and five total rejections. Kasia Partyka, Reagan Sharp and Clair Wagstaff all added three total blocks in the win. In the back row, Sierra Grizzle added 12 digs while Lauterwasser also recorded a double-double, as she chipped in with 11 digs.
Partyka closed the night with a season-high 54 assists. It marks the second time in 2024 that Partyka has tallied 50-plus helpers. Partyka was also one of three Cowgirls to notch an ace against UVU.
Wyoming now waits to hear when and where it will play next. The Cowgirls have advanced to the Great 8 for the second season in a row. UW will face the winner of Arizona and Pacific in the next round, with date, time and destination, TBD.
-WYO-
