When the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) released its Top 25 preseason poll this summer, Utah landed at No. 23, a ranking that head coach Beth Launiere saw as a sign of respect.
“It’s a sign of respect for your program. I mean, the fact that we lost eight seniors and people still did that,” Launiere said. “More importantly, fourth in the Big 12, because those teams know more. I just thought it was really respectful.”
Now entering her 36th season at the helm of Utah volleyball, Launiere says her motivation is simple: it’s all about building a team.
“Every team is different. We have a lot of culture things that carry over because the program teaches the program, and we work at it and how we do things,” Launiere said. “What really motivates me is to take a group of individuals and form them into a team. I can teach passing, I can teach blocking, I’ve got really good assistants to do that also. My job is how to make us a team. I really like that.”
The Utes finished 25-6 last season and 14-4 in their first year in the Big 12, earning a third-place finish and their 19th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The 2025 schedule won’t be any easier as Utah will face nine teams this season ranked in the Top 25, including a trip to No. 1 Nebraska Sept. 12. Still, the mission remains unchanged.
“Getting back to the tournament, and we’d like to finish in the top of the Big 12. Nothing’s changed there,” Launiere said. “I think the Big 12 is a little bit young across the board, so that’s a saving grace for us because we’re also very young.”
All-world talent
One key returning player is Kamryn Gibadlo, recently named to the AVCA’s Division I National Player of the Year Watch List, presented by Nike.
Last season Gibadlo led the Utes in kills (370), kills per set (3.43), attacks (990), and service aces (38). Now entering her junior year, Launiere believes she’s ready to take another leap.
“Gibby is just a tremendous athlete,” Launiere said. “I mean, she flies, she’s fast off the ground, she’s got a good arm swing. She has the whole package to be a great volleyball player physically. She’s worked really hard on her defense, and she’s just become such a well-rounded player. She is becoming a leader, she’s embraced it, and so now it’s a learning process for her on how to do that.”
Over the summer, Gibadlo helped lead Team USA to gold at the U21 Pan American Cup in Costa Rica, an experience that’s helped fuel her confidence.
“I was extremely grateful to represent Team USA, and it definitely gives me a lot of confidence going into next season,” Gibadlo said. “Just knowing that I’m one of the top athletes gives me so much confidence in myself, and just knowing that I can bring so much to our team.”
Now, she’s embracing her role not only as a playmaker, but a new role as a vocal leader on the court.
“I want to be someone that my team can trust, and I feel like I am starting to assume that role a little bit more each day,” Gibadlo said. “I definitely want to be a person that can help facilitate some communication on the court and be someone to make plays.”
Rebuild? Not here
After graduating eight seniors, Utah’s roster underwent a major overhaul this offseason. For most programs, that kind of turnover would signal a rebuild, but not for the Utes. Instead, Launiere and her staff reloaded with depth, experience and next-level talent.
Among the new faces is Neea-Maria Joki, a transfer pin attacker from Clemson who was named to the ACC All-Freshman team after recording 223 kills in 31 matches for the Tigers last season. Originally from Finland, Joki also competed with the Finnish Junior National Team, bringing international experience to the Utes’ front line.
Also transferring in is Leah Wilton-Laboy, a versatile player with experience at both Utah State and Oklahoma. She’s appeared in 77 collegiate matches and adds valuable depth.
Utah also added size and championship pedigree with Lana Mijacic, a 6-foot-3-inch middle blocker from Belgrade, Serbia, who won three consecutive national championships for Club Red Star.
The signing class of 2024 looks to be absolutely stacked with talent to help the Utes navigate the missing pieces from last season.
When it comes to winning, few newcomers bring a resume as stacked as Devyn Wiest. The Arizona native has already earned gold and silver on the international stage with Team USA U19, claimed three club national championships with AZ Storm Elite, and won a state championship in 2023.
“I want to do some cool things,” Wiest said. “I’m excited to get going and start playing.”
The Utes also added McKenna Payne, a Michigan native who brings both accolades and grit to the court. A Michigan Miss Volleyball Finalist and AAU All-American, Payne will anchor the back row as the team’s new libero.
The Utes added some local talent with Katelynn Field, a 6-foot-5-inch middle blocker from Harrisville, Utah, who starred at Weber High School and helped lead her team to the 6A Regional Championship. Field brings size and upside to the front line, which gives Utah great depth.
Rounding out the freshman class is Dyborrah Johnson, a dominant middle blocker out of Arizona, who Launiere calls “one of the best athletes ever recruited to the Utah volleyball program.”
The 2023 Offensive Player of the Year adds high-level experience after winning multiple national championships with AZ Storm Elite, where she played alongside fellow freshman Devyn Wiest.
Invaluable volleyball
With Gibadlo and Wiest both spending their summer competing for Team USA, Utah is already reaping the benefits. For Launiere, offseason volleyball is about more than just staying in shape; it’s about sharpening instincts, growing confidence and returning with momentum.
“You can’t put a value on that,” Launiere said. “It’s huge for them to be playing that high a level of volleyball during the summer, it’s great for them, you can really see that when they get back in the gym, so it’s great for us too.”
That international experience brings more than medals. It gives Utah repetition under pressure, a higher level of polish and the kind of poise that can steady a young team still developing their identity and learning how to win together.
The Utes will open the season against No. 24 Dayton at the Jon M. Huntsman Center this Friday at 7 p.m. MDT.
