SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (Sept. 5, 2026) – The Wyoming Cowgirls bounced back Saturday afternoon in their second match of the Utah Classic. The Cowgirls defeated Eastern Illinois in four sets to get back on the winning track. Set scores went 25-15, 15-25, 25-20 and 25-19.
Wyoming (3-1) came out strong Saturday, controlling much of the first set to take the early match lead. The Cowgirls led by as many as 11 in the opening set to take the early lead. The second set followed the reverse, as the Panthers were able to control things to even the match at one set apiece.
The third set was a back-and-forth affair in the beginning stages of the frame before UW seized control. The Cowgirls broke a 6-6 tie in the set with a 5-1 run to gain control in the third. Later on, Wyoming would lead by as many as six, 22-16 and would hold off a late EIU rally with three consecutive points to end the third. The fourth set was all Cowgirls as they didn't trail in the frame and led by as many as six points, multiple times.
Ruby Jensen and Paige Lauterwasser led the Wyoming offense with 10 kills each. Jensen recorded her first-career double-double in the victory as she recorded 10 total blocks to lead the Cowgirls. Reagan Sharp added nine kills, hit an efficient .318 and added six blocks.
Rya Fingerlin and Lauterwasser paced UW with a pair of service aces as it had seven as a team. Fingerlin also led the way with 16 digs. Maddy Stucky led Wyoming with 23 assists in the victory while Sara Quigley had 16.
Wyoming hit .261 on the day while holding Eastern Illinois to a .133 hitting percentage. The Cowgirls dominated at the net, holding a 12-1 team blocking advantage. UW also had three more service aces (7-4) in the win.
Next up for the Cowgirls will be the finale of the Utah Classic. Wyoming faces Long Beach State at noon Sunday.
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