A long time coming…
After going six weeks with only one loss, the Utah women’s volleyball team has finally been recognized for all its hard work as it broke onto the national rankings scene this week at No. 24.
Since their disastrous loss to the Wyoming Cowgirls on Sept. 20, the Utes have become a new team, with the No. 7 Oregon Ducks handing them their only loss in their past 11 games.
“We never had that big win to vault us into the rankings,” said head coach Beth Launiere. “We just kept gathering wins and they couldn’t deny it anymore.”
Utah has a 17-5 record overall, with four losses against top 15 teams. Eleven of its 17 wins have been sweeps, as the Utes have only been forced to play more than three sets nine times this season.
Utah’s ranking comes after beating both New Mexico and TCU last weekend.
“It’s a great reward for how hard we’ve been working,” said outside hitter Kathryn Haynie. “It’s so important that we not focus on it though. All that matters is if we keep winning and focusing on what we can control.”
Another Player of the Week
In addition to being ranked for the first time, middle blocker Emillie Toone was chosen as Mountain West Conference Co-Player of the Week for the second time this season, and for the second time in three weeks.
Toone shares the honor with SDSU setter/opposite hitter Lauren Van Orden.
Toone was big in the wins over New Mexico and TCU last week as she averaged 11 kills, 7.5 blocks and had a .576 hitting percentage in the two matches.
“Emillie played really well and did a great job putting it away tonight,” said teammate Lori Baird after the win over New Mexico.
Toone is currently leading the MWC with a .415 hitting percentage and is No. 3 in blocks with 1.38 per set.
A member of the Utah team has been named MWC Player of the Week four of the past five weeks, as Baird and Toone have both earned the honor twice.
“That’s what happens when you win games,” Launiere said.
Welcome to the block party
Utah is putting up the No. 2 block average in the nation even after below-average blocking last week.
In their three games last week, the Utes averaged 9.16 blocks per match, compared to 13.25 per match in the eight games prior to that.
“We worked a lot on floor defense last week and our blocking slid a little,” Baird said.
Despite not blocking as many balls as they usually do, the Utes are still No. 1 in the MWC and No. 2 in the nation with an average of 3.06 blocks per set.
Baird is leading the team with 1.46 blocks per set and is No. 2 in the MWC and No. 10 in the nation, while teammate Toone is No. 17 in the nation.
Tyler CobbEmillie Toone earned her second Mountain West Conference player of the week award for her performances against TCU and New Mexico.