Along with many other squads, the Ute volleyball team struggled to stay out of the cellar during the first two seasons in its new conference. Many wondered if Utah could ever hang with the best of the best. This season may have been the start of a new change.
The Utes finished 2013 with 21 wins, just one shy of tying the number of victories they obtained in 2011 and 2012 combined. Though Utah did not contend for the conference crown, it tallied nine wins in Pac-12 play, its most since joining the conference.
And for the first time since 2008, the Utes seized their ultimate goal of the year to play in the NCAA Tournament, where they advanced to the second round before falling to national powerhouse Penn State.
“I am proud that this group was able to get the program to national relevance,” Utah head coach Beth Launiere said. “I am proud that we have made progress in the Pac-12. It is a tribute to this group and this team of their perseverance. There were times in the season where we were in trouble and we kept responding, late in the season especially.”
Utah began 2013 with 10 wins before falling to its archrival BYU in a five-set match. As the Utes got into conference play, 11 of the 12 schools in the Pac-12 had a winning record. The strength of the conference was evident throughout the season as Utah wound up losing to eight ranked opponents on the year.
After dropping five straight contests in the midst of Pac-12 play, it appeared the Utes’ postseason hopes were gone, but they rebounded to win three of their final five regular season matches. Utah’s victory in the regular season finale over UCLA helped the team be confident that it would earn an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament, and the Utes wound up being one of nine teams from the conference to qualify.
“This season has been great,” said senior Erin Redd-Brandon. “It was our goal to get to the NCAA and do our best there and we achieved that goal. That is what is really rewarding as a senior. We have never been to the NCAA in the past, and it is cool to help the younger girls who are still going to be here to accomplish that. They will be hungry to come back again next year.”
Utah finished the season as one of the best blocking teams in the country. The Utes amassed 381 total blocks on the year, averaging 2.9 blocks per set, which was good enough for ninth in the nation.
A large part of Utah’s success throughout the campaign came from the play of its two seniors, Redd-Brandon and Morgan Odale. The latter became just the third player in Ute history be a member of the 1,000-kill club, 1,000-dig club and 100-ace club. Odale finished her career in third, fourth and sixth in Utah history in those respective categories. Redd-Brandon finished her career with 566 blocks and 1,111 kills.
“I am going to miss them a ton,” said junior middle blocker Bailey Bateman. “I feel like they have made a huge contribution not only to the program, but with the traditions they left behind. They are great teammates on and off the court. It is going to be weird not having them here because they have been here since I have been here since day one. Not having them here is going to feel a little strange at first.”
Despite the loss of the seniors, the Utes are already looking forward to returning to action next season. Utah will be returning nine players who have starting experience, including seven juniors and freshman libero Tess Sutton.
“I am so motivated and inspired from the work we did this season just to keep it rolling,” Bateman said. “Get to the NCAAs again and to just have another successful season. It just felt so great coming out of the season with a winning record and getting to the tournament. It is just really inspiring for next to just keep it going.”