ST. GEORGE — The Dixie State volleyball team had its share of challenges facing the newest member of the Pac West Conference. For the biggest one. a deciding fifth game. the visitors had just enough energy to earn the victory.
Sophomore outside hitter Dan Yang had 18 kills and Olivia White dished out 20 assists as Academy of Art University held on for a 25-21. 14-25. 25-20. 18-25. 15-13 victory over Dixie State on Saturday at the Old Gym.
Although the Urban Knights (12-7) won't have their games count toward a Pac West championship until next season. head coach Marcus Young said the team is focusing on being competitive out of the box.
“The whole match was a battle.” Young said. “After (Friday's) match. the players had a long meeting and talked about playing a better mental game. We can't let other teams take control.
“We (are bigger than) most teams. but Dixie State has some size. too.”
Yang is one of four Urban Knights who stand 6-foot-2.
Neither side had much control in the match. After a pair of Katie Luna (Mesa. AZ/Westwood High '05) kills helped DSC (6-8 overall) close out Game 4. the Urban Knights got two putaways from Yang in a four-point run that was good for a 10-8 lead.
Following a timeout. a kill from Mariesa Nielson (Oak City. UT/Delta High '05) and a tandem block from Luna and Amanda Goodell (Fort Collins. CO/Rocky Mtn HS '07) helped DSC pull into an 11-11 tie. After the teams exchanged two points each. the Urban Knights closed out the match when Anna Bullard (Farmington. UT/Davis HS '07) netted a serve and Kauwila Lavea put away the last of her 14 kills.
“We had a rollercoaster of a day.” said Cami Johnson (Morgan. UT/Morgan HS '06). who led DSC with 20 kills. “We started to get down (after Game 1). but we decided to play in the end.
“We have an issue with finishing the fifth game. but we'll be working on that in practice.”
DSC head coach Gregg Jensen added his own analogy on the ending.
“That fifth game wasn't bad. but it ended too soon.” he said. “It's like the football team that loses on the last play. We didn't lose. We just didn't have enough time.”
The Urban Knights led throughout in winning the opening game. but Dixie State turned the tables to even the match in Game 2. After Academy of Art posted the Game 3 win. Dixie State stayed in control in Game 4 after a Luna kill gave her squad a 9-8 lead.
DSC. which fell to 0-3 in five-game matches. resumes Pac West play with matches on Tuesday and Wednesday against Hawaii-Hilo. Jensen cautioned that his team can expect the Vulcans to be similar in size to Academy of Art.
“They know that to beat a good team. you have to play right to the end.” he said. “Hawaii-Hilo has more international players and they're just as big. with a lot of experience.”
