ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Twins Jordan Llewellyn and Jamie Llewellyn combined for 26 kills in a three-set victory by the Navy (3-1) volleyball team over Utah Valley (1-3), Friday night at the Wesley A. Brown Field House.  The Mids defeated the Wolverines, 25-20, 25-22 and 25-19.

The match was the second of the day as part of the Kristen Dickmann Invitational.  Maryland posted a three-set win over Old Dominion in the first match.

Utah Valley ended the 2022 season with a RPI of 95th nationally.  Comparatively, Maryland ranked 116th last season, Navy was ranked 140th and Old Dominion was ranked 198th.

"From day one of the preseason," said Navy head coach Paco Labrador, "we have been talking about having sustained focus and staying in the match on every point.  The sweep tonight was a great sign that we are headed in the right direction."

Set One
The Wolverines held an 18-16 lead when Jamie Llewelllyn knocked down a kill to give the Mids the serve.  A kill by Jordan Llewelllyn followed, then Jamie Llewelllyn dropped in back-to-back service aces to stretch the lead to 20-18.  Three sideouts made the score 21-20 in favor of Navy, then the Mids notched another sideout on a kill from Jordan Llewelllyn to regain the two-point lead.  Setter Averi Miller posted a kill off of a feed from Jordan Llewelllyn Llewelllyn, then Jordan registered the ensuing two points on kills to close out the frame.

Jordan Llewelllyn had six kills in the opening stanza.

Set Two
Navy took a 21-17 lead late in the set when Utah Valley went on a 4-0 run to tie the score at 21-21 for the 10th time in the frame.  Jordan Llewelllyn and Maggie Bodman promptly made the score 23-21 when they combined for two-straight blocks.  Jordan Llewelllyn followed with a kill to take Navy to set point.

Navy totaled 15 kills in the second set.  The Llewellyn's combined for 11 of those kills.

Set Three
The score was tied at 9-9 when Navy scored four-straight points to take a 13-9 lead.  The Mids would go on to hold advantages of 17-10 and 19-11 on their way to closing out the match.

Statistical Notes
Navy outhit Utah Valley, .296-.188, thanks to the Mids holding leads of 45-31 in kills and 7-3 in aces.

Jordan Llewelllyn paced the Mids with 14 kills and three aces and Jamie Llewelllyn recorded 12 kills.  Jamie Llewelllyn also snared nine digs.  Defensively, Bodman finished with five blocks and Hannah Hoover contributed 11 digs.

"We knew Utah Valley would be very powerful on offense," said Labrador.  "They are well coached and have already played some top tier teams in this season.  

We had good balance from the servers, and Miller set a great match finding Jamie and Jordan in rhythm when we needed big points.  This team is playing their hearts out for each other and I am proud of the level of play we demonstrated tonight."

Up Next
The Kristen Dickmann Invitational continues Saturday with Utah Valley vs. Old Dominion at 11 a.m., Utah Valley vs. Maryland at 2:30 p.m. and Navy taking on Old Dominion at 7 p.m.  The weekend concludes with Navy taking on Maryland Sunday at 2 p.m.