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Utah Tech University Athletics

VB 2021 - Howard vs. UVU
Stan Plewe/Utah Tech Athletics
3
Winner Dixie St. Dixie 5-11,4-4 WAC
2
Abilene Christian ACU 7-10,1-5 WAC
Winner
Dixie St. Dixie
5-11,4-4 WAC
3
Final
2
Abilene Christian ACU
7-10,1-5 WAC
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
Dixie St. Dixie 13 23 25 25 15 (3)
Abilene Christian ACU 25 25 21 20 11 (2)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball | | By DSU Athletics Media Relations

Trailblazers rally for five-set victory at Abilene Christian

Dixie State volleyball made its first trip to the Teague Center in Abilene, Texas, a memorable one, rallying from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Abilene Christian in five sets on Friday.
 
The Trailblazers (5-11, 4-4 WAC) shook off a slow start and bounced back in the third and fourth sets to force the decisive fifth frame. DSU posted a .273 hitting percentage in the third set and a .311 mark in the fourth to set up the thrilling finish and comeback. Hannah Howard enjoyed a career night, tallying a career-high 22 kills to mark the first time a Trailblazer has finished with 20 or more kills this season.
 
Dixie State jumpstarted the comeback early in the third set. Trailing 9-5, the Trailblazers turned things around with 11-0 run to build a 16-9 advantage. Howard keyed the run with five kills during the stretch. ACU countered with a 5-2 spurt to trim the lead to 18-14 before the Trailblazers scored four straight points to push the lead back to 22-14. The Wildcats made one last push with a 7-1 run to pull to within 23-21, but DSU claimed the set with two straight points to extend the match.
 
The Trailblazers used a 4-0 spurt early in set four to turn a 6-5 deficit into a 9-6 lead. The Wildcats fought back to pull even at 10-10 and again at 12-12 before DSU tallied seven of the next 10 points to push the advantage to 19-15. ACU countered with three straight points to trim the lead to 19-18, but Dixie State closed the frame on a 6-2 run to snag a 25-20 win and force the decisive fifth set.
 
DSU seized control the of match with a 6-2 run early in set five, turning a slim 5-4 advantage into an 11-6 lead. ACU battled back with a 5-1 spurt to pull to within one point at 12-11, but the Trailblazers would not be denied the victory, scoring three straight points to claim a 15-11 triumph and complete the comeback.
 
Dixie State finished with 59 kills and a .188 hitting percentage. The Trailblazers also posted a season-best 55 assists to go with 83 digs. Jordyn Nelson recorded her third double-double of the year with a season-best 28 assists and 14 digs. Kate Hardy added nine kills and five total blocks, while Chayse Daugherty and Whittnee Nihipali each chipped in eight kills.
 
The Trailblazers will close the weekend with a neutral-site match against Tarleton State on Saturday at 4 p.m. Central Time (3 p.m. MT).
 
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