After the loss to Colorado State on Oct. 5, who would have thought that it would be the last loss for the University of Utah volleyball team?
Since that match, the Utes have not lost a contest, and now look to continue the winning streak in San Diego and Las Vegas in their last two matchups of the regular season.
The last time Utah squared off against San Diego State and UNLV, it was just starting to catch its stride and proceeded to blow both teams out of the building.
The Rebels and the Aztecs will be looking for a little revenge after being embarrassed at Crimson Court on the 12th and 13th of October.
“Both San Diego State and UNLV are very good teams at home, and it will be a challenging weekend for us,” said Ute coach Beth Launiere.
San Diego State is the better of the two teams, but should not provide much of a challenge to the Utes.
The Aztecs have some individual talent on the team. Zlatina Anguelova has been on fire throughout the season, averaging 3.66 kills per game. Meanwhile, Kate Manguson played very well against UNLV, as she totaled 17 kills and 14 digs.
The Aztecs had started the season off with a record of 6 1, but then the wheels came off when they started to play quality teams. At this point, they have a record of 14-9 overall, 8-4 in conference; they broke their two-match losing streak with a five-game win over the Rebels.
UNLV is coming off losses to San Diego State and Nevada, although the Rebels played much better than both its opponents.
The Rebels fell to both teams in five games, and may have crushed any mental stability they had achieved over the season.
However, like the Aztecs, UNLV has some talent on the team. Blair Wilkes, Leiana Oswald, Michelle Johnson and Sheila Clemente are the best players on the team. Setter Nicki King finally got her game together and posted 58 assists and 10 digs vs. Nevada.
The only problems the Utes will face on this road trip will be looking ahead. “We have to take care of business on our end,” Launiere said.
The Utes came out flat after their last big win against BYU. Utah State took the first game, before Utah woke up and won the last three. They don’t want to do the same thing after scoring a five game win over then-No. 6 CSU on Nov. 3.
There should be no other reason that the Utes should lose, considering their superiority in talent level and mental toughness.
Following these last two matches of the regular season for the Utes, they could head into the MWC Tournament Nov. 15 to 17 on a 12-match win streak.