The Utah women’s volleyball team has been improving steadily in every game since its jarring loss to Wyoming two weeks ago. Saturday’s game against New Mexico was no different, as the Utes won in four sets.
“It was a great win for us. They are a very good team,” said head coach Beth Launiere. “We had to work hard for this; it was a total team effort.”
Utah attributes much of its recent success to switching to a 6-2 offense and moving Lori Baird back to the middle.
Baird has been unstoppable since the switch and continued her dominance as she slammed down a career-high 21 kills and 10 blocks in the 25-21, 28-26, 13-25 and 25-21 win over the Lobos.
“Lori had a big time performance for us,” Launiere said. “We were setting her every ball we could at the end of the game. She was just unstoppable.”
Utah had no problem overcoming New Mexico’s stifling defense as the Utes hit above a .200 in every set but the third, and combined for a .250 hitting percentage on the game.
Being able to adjust to the defense is one of the reasons the Utes were so successful against the Lobos.
“They doubled up the block on Emillie (Toone) and she wasn’t able to get as many kills as she usually does,” Launiere said. “They made us change our offense and the setters adjusted well.”
It was Karolina Bartkowiak who stepped up and got the kills usually provided by Toone, as she put down 11 kills and hit .500.
Kathryn Haynie was also in double digits with 12 kills and was one dig shy of a double-double with nine digs.
“Everyone played their role and did what we needed them to do,” Launiere said.
Utah not only played well on offense, but continued putting up a huge block on defense as they earned 16 blocks and held New Mexico, which has been averaging .242, to a .191.
That number would’ve been much lower had the Utes not allowed New Mexico to hit .747 in the 12-25 third set Lobo win.
“I don’t think we let up completely,” Launiere said. “But they came out fired up and we couldn’t stop them. We regrouped and got it done in game four though.”
Utah’s back-row defense was also important in holding off the Lobos offense, as the back line dug up 54 balls. Stephanie Shardlow and Keisha Fisher led the team with 12 digs apiece.
The Lobos were led by Jeanne Fairchild who had 24 kills in the loss.
This game gives Utah its fourth consecutive win, three of which have been on the road, and moves them up into the top of the Mountain West Conference with a 3-2 record.
“The most important thing is that we got these wins on the road,” Launiere said. “Champions win on the road.”
Launiere told her team after the game that things are only going to get better as they continue to improve throughout the season.
“I told them we’re still not even as close to being as good as we will be,” she said. “As we keep ticking off teams, we’ll get closer to where we want to be.”
Utah will look to continue its winning streak and move up in the MWC standing next week as UNLV and San Diego State will both be at Crimson Court.
“I haven’t even looked that far ahead,” Launiere said. “We’re just going to enjoy this.”
Lucas IsleyChelsey Sandberg stretches for a kill, but it was Karolina Bartkowiak who stepped up and got 11 kills during the Utes game against New Mexico on Saturday.