The Utes haven’t played a home match in almost two weeks, and in that time they have really missed the Huntsman Center. Utah has gone 0-3 in its last two road trips, including dropping two five-set matches to Oregon and Oregon State this last weekend in back-to-back matches.
The players have had a small break to recover and are starting a four-game home stint that kicks off with a game against UCLA on Friday. This home stint will be a welcome relief for the team after traveling to Oregon and Washington the last two weekends, and junior Alyssa Koenig is especially glad to return to SLC.
“It’s always nice to be home,” Koenig said. “Being on the road is challenging, especially back-to-back on the road. It’s nice to be back in the Huntsman Center and have our crowd there and our supporters.”
Since 2010 the Utes have gone 41-29 when at home, compared to a poor 26-51 while on the road. Avoiding travel and being supported by a home crowd is something that really gives this team an advantage, and Tess Sutton knows this.
“It’s awesome to be home,” Sutton said. “The Huntsman has such a great vibe. The fans love everything. I think as a team we get an energy boost when we’re in here.”
Falling Behind Of the Pack
With their losses to Oregon and Oregon State, the Utes have compiled a 1-3 record so far in the Pac-12. This record puts Utah at 10th in the conference standings, tied with Washington State and Oregon State, both of whom had wins over Utah.
USC and Arizona State top the conference with perfect records in Pac-12 play so far. The Utes will need to reel off a few wins in their next few games against Pac-12 powerhouses UCLA, USC and Stanford if they want to stay afloat in the toughest conference in the nation.
Last year, the Utes finished with a 9-11 record in Pac-12 play and finished seventh in the conference. Utah will need to come close to this mark again if it hopes to make the NCAA Tournament for the third year in a row.
Figuring out the system
The Utes have been very up-and-down this season, usually trading wins with a couple of losses. It can be tough for a team as young as Utah’s to gain consistency, but head coach Beth Launiere is trying to help her players learn Utah’s system and become familiar with executing it week in and week out.
“We watch video on our system,” Launiere said. “Cleaning things up. Trying to get better at our system and our understanding of our system.”
This knowledge of Utah’s system is necessary for a team that is comprised of just three seniors, three juniors, four sophomores and seven freshmen. Their youth makes it difficult for the team to find the consistency that it needs to succeed. But with a system that is implemented correctly, it can give these young players a routine and strategy that they can adapt to and lean on.
@Twelvegage96