Utah improves to 5-0 as it swept its road trip to California over the weekend. The Utes picked up wins against the Cal Poly Mustangs and the host team, the St. Mary’s Gaels, without dropping a single set.
“I was pleased with the performance,” said head coach Beth Launiere. “I thought we got better as the day went on.”
Launiere used 13 players in their first match against the Mustangs, as the Utes showed off their much-talked-about depth. Utah started off its match against Cal Poly in dominating fashion, winning the first set 25-13. The Utes didn’t slow down after that either, as they continued their march over the Mustangs in the second set with a convincing 25-15 victory. Cal Poly provided more of a challenge in the third set, but the Utes were able to close out the set, and match, with a 25-21 score line, sweeping the match 3-0.
“Definitely felt comfortable with how the match was going,” Launiere said about playing 13 different players in the match. “I wanted to get other players in, and we have to take these opportunities, and the level did not drop off. I’m very pleased with the depth we have and that we are trying to develop.”
The Utes came into the night game against St. Mary’s full of confidence but were off to a rough start. Utah didn’t get its first lead of the night until a 12-11 lead halfway through the first set. The Utes and Gaels battled back and forth throughout the set until, eventually, the set had to be decided in extra points. Utah ended up taking the set, 28-26, before going on to win the second and third sets, 25-13 and 25-20, respectively.
“As a team, we are staying composed.” Launiere said. “We are not getting rattled in the close matches. I think that has everything to do with the experience levels.”
The two sweeps over the weekend were the Utes’ third and fourth sweeps of the season in five games. Seniors Chelsey Schofield-Olsen and Shelby Dalton led the Utes in kills, tallying 11 and nine, respectively, while libero Tess Sutton led the team in digs with 12.
Utah will next compete at home on Tuesday in its match against UVU before heading out for a seven-game road trip. The match is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. MT at Crimson Court.
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