The Wyoming Cowgirl volleyball team is headed to Arizona for the Great 8 of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC), 7220 Sports reports.
The Cowgirls will face the Arizona Wildcats on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 6 p.m. in Tucson. This marks the second consecutive year Wyoming has reached the Great 8, following an electrifying comeback victory over Utah Valley in the Super 16 round.
The Cowgirls (17-12) displayed grit and resilience in their match against Utah Valley (21-11) on Friday night in Laramie. After claiming the opening set (25-20), Wyoming found itself trailing two sets to one following Utah Valley wins in the second and third sets (21-25, 23-25).
Facing elimination in the fourth set, the Cowgirls staged a dramatic comeback. Trailing 9-4 early in the frame, Wyoming battled through 11 ties and four lead changes before closing the set with a clutch 4-1 run to win 25-22, forcing a decisive fifth set.
In the final frame, Wyoming jumped to a commanding 12-5 lead before Utah Valley surged back, scoring six straight points to cut the deficit to 12-11. After an exchange of points, Wyoming closed the match with two crucial points to seal the set (15-12) and secure a spot in the Great 8.
The match featured standout performances from multiple Cowgirls.
- Emma Winter led the team with 15 kills, hitting an impressive .452. She also recorded her first career double-double with a career-high 15 digs.
- Sarah Holcomb and Paige Lauterwasser each contributed 14 kills, with Holcomb posting a strong .400 hitting percentage and leading the team in total blocks with nine.
- Kayla Mazzocca added nine kills and five blocks, while Sierra Grizzle chipped in with 12 digs.
- Paige Lauterwasser also achieved a double-double, tallying 11 digs to go with her 14 kills.
- Kasia Partyka played a crucial role as the team’s primary setter, recording a season-high 54 assists. It was her second 50-plus assist match of the 2024 season. Partyka also contributed three blocks and an ace.
As a team, Wyoming held statistical edges in several key areas. The Cowgirls posted a .304 hitting percentage compared to Utah Valley’s .244. Wyoming also out-blocked the Wolverines 16-11 and recorded three more digs (52-49). Utah Valley had the advantage in kills (66-63) and service aces (8-3) but also committed six more service errors.
Wyoming will now turn its attention to Arizona, the next challenge in its NIVC journey. The Cowgirls will travel to Tucson to face the Wildcats in the Great 8 on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 6 p.m. If Wyoming wins, it will advance to the Fab 4 the following night, where they will face the winner of the Arkansas State vs. Northern Colorado matchup.
This marks the second straight year that Wyoming has reached the Great 8, a testament to the program’s steady growth and development. Head coach Chad Callihan and his squad will look to ride the momentum of their dramatic win over Utah Valley as they prepare for the Wildcats.
The Wyoming Cowgirls continue their impressive run in the 2024 NIVC, fueled by a thrilling comeback victory over Utah Valley. With another spot in the Great 8 secured, the Cowgirls will now face a formidable Arizona team with hopes of advancing to the Fab 4. Fans can tune in on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 6 p.m., as Wyoming looks to keep its postseason dream alive.
