It could all come down to this.
The Utah volleyball team, which is ranked 15th in the nation and is undefeated at home this year, but trails undefeated, sixth-ranked Colorado State by a couple games in the MWC race, gets a chance to close the gap this weekend when Wyoming and CSU come to Crimson Court.
“Hosting them this weekend gives us a good opportunity to put ourselves in a position to win the MWC title,” said Ute coach Beth Launiere.
The Mountain West Championship will be, for all intents and purposes, decided this weekend as Colorado State leads the conference by two matches over BYU and Utah. The Rams play them both this weekend, and both must defeat CSU for a shot at the conference championship.
However, the Utes must watch out for Wyoming, for if they do look ahead, then their title hopes may go down the tubes.
“We have to take care of Wyoming, that is our main goal right now,” Launiere said.
The Cowgirls have a record of 8-10 overall and are 3-6 in conference play. Utah swept them in their last meeting in Laramie, Wyo., and ever since then, the Utes have been on fire, as they have won the past eight matches.
The player that will have to step up for Wyoming is Rachel Lau, who is averaging 3.65 kills per game and has a solid killing percentage of .292. She is also playing the net very well with 1.09 blocks per game.
Colorado State will be much tougher, though, and will be the most integral test of Utah’s regular season.
The Rams come into this match with much more experience and have many players that can dominate offensively and defensively. With a record of 19-0 overall and 9-0 MWC, they will be the toughest team the Utes have faced all y ear.
“Colorado State is a great team, and it will be a good chance for us to have them on our home court,” Launiere said.
Another advantage Utah will have going into the match on Saturday against Colorado State is that it’s a day after the Rams will have faced BYU, and they could be mentally and physically drained.
Courtney Cox was named co MWC Player of the Week for her outstanding play the past week, and she is second in the MWC in kills per game (4.24), and she will not even be the largest threat for the Utes. Angela Knopf is leading the conference in kills per game (4.43) and attack percentage (.490).
“They are as good a team this conference has ever had,” Launiere said.