Women's volleyball dominates Div. I awards

OREM — Some post-Thanksgiving leftovers from Utah Valley State College athletics, including a disappointing men's basketball loss at Idaho State, a much-needed season-first victory for the women's hoops squad and an bevy of awards for the Wolverine women's volleyball program.

The week that was

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Lost on the road Saturday to Idaho State, 72-56. Matt Peterson led UVSC (2-3) with 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting. Mountain View alum and Idaho State senior Tim Henry scored 12 points for the Bengals.

"We got outmatched, out-hustled and out-competed today," Utah Valley State coach Dick Hunsaker said. "We have to find out who has the spirit and strength to win on the road."

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Defeated visiting Fresno State 72-64 on Saturday. Sophomore Rebekah Fales came off the bench to lead the Wolverines (1-3) with 17 points. Miriam Palkki and Sandy Marvin added 13 points apiece for UVSC. The Wolverines hit eight straight free throws during a 10-2 run in the final two minutes that changed the game from a 62-62 tie to a 72-64 victory for UVSC.

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL: The Wolverines, who finished their season by winning the Division I Independent Championship three weeks ago, dominated the Division I All-Independent awards that were announced Monday.

UVSC took home four of the five major awards, including Coach of the Year (Sam Atoa), Setter of the Year (Lacee Koelliker), Newcomer of the Year (Camie Manwill), and Co-Defensive Player of the Year (Maegan Hoyt). Koelliker, Hoyt, Jessica Endres, and Anne Olsen were named first-team All Independent, and Manwill was named to the second team.

"I'm ecstatic for the girls," Atoa said. "It's nice for our players to be recognized by other schools for their hard work. Individuals get honored, but this was a team effort from top to bottom."

Wolverine of the week

REBEKAH FALES, sophomore guard/forward, women's basketball: A prerequisite for being a good shooter in basketball is confidence. UVSC's landmark 72-64 victory Saturday over Fresno State would not have been possible without unflappable confidence from Fales.

After beginning the game 0-for-6 from the field, Fales was scoreless with less then a minute left in the first half as the Wolverines were gasping for breath following an 11-0 run by the Bulldogs. But Fales didn't fail UVSC — she hit a midrange pull-up jumper to break the Fresno run, then nailed a 3-pointer from the left corner at the buzzer to give the Wolverines a 27-26 halftime lead.