ST. GEORGE, Utah - In a crucial match with conference title implications, the Dixie State women's volleyball team overcame a slow start to beat Cal Baptist 3-2 (12-25, 25-23, 25-20, 22-25, 15-10) on Saturday afternoon.

"It was good to see the girls overcome some first game nerves and really settle into our game," head coach Robyn Felder said. "Cal Baptist is a top notch program so it was really fun to battle back-and-forth with them. I thought the girls really showed heart and really showed that they are one of the top teams in the conference."

Edithza Urias (Bakersfield, CA/Golden Valley) led DSU (15-6, 12-1) with 17 kills. She added 10 digs and two block assists. Maddie Rex (Tucson, AZ/Sabino) totaled 15 kills, one ace, 11 digs and three block assists. Shelby Sorenson (Lehi, UT/Lehi) was setting teammates up everywhere with 48 assists to go along with five digs. Nicole Koehler (Sandy, UT/Alta) and Makenzi Bird (Saint George, UT/Snow Canyon ) each had a solo block. Dixie State was outhit by Cal Baptist (13-8, 9-4) .296-.255 but the Storm were able to overcome it and pick up the win.

Nothing seemed to go right out of the gates for the Red Storm, falling behind 12-5 early. The Lancers kept up the pressure and build up a 21-9 lead, eventually taking the first set 25-12.

The rough start woke up Dixie State and the Storm came back from down two to take a 18-14 lead after a 6-0 run. Cal Baptist answered right back to tie it at 18 but DSU stayed calm and took five of the next six points. Dixie State won set two 25-23 to get back on track.

With momentum on their side, the Storm kept the pressure on, building a 10-3 lead out of the gates in set No. 3. Dixie State stayed in front the whole way and won the third set 25-20 to go up 2-1 in the match.

Set four, however, took a turn after Dixie State led 10-6 but ther Lancers came back to take an 11-10 lead. It was back-and-forth for a while but Cal Baptist had more down the stretch and beat DSU 25-22 to send it to a fifth set.

With just 15 points needed, Dixie State got a big boost with four straight points to start the fifth set. Two kills by Urias, and ones by Bird and Kendahl Weiland (Albany, OR/West Albany) set the tone and force the Lancers to regroup in a timeout. 

Dixie State continued to put the pressure on and led 11-6. Weiland had the final kill later on to win it 15-10 and the match 3-2.

The Red Storm will turn around and head right back to Cal Baptist for a rematch in Riverside, Calif. on Thursday, Oct. 30.