Fresh off a five-set victory over in-state rival Utah State, the Ute volleyball team heads west to play in the Santa Clara Invitational, its last preseason tournament.

Utah has until Oct. 3 to prepare for its MWC schedule, and Manning's young but experienced team has all the tools necessary to not only win the conference this season, but also in seasons to come.

The Utah women's volleyball team has everything going for it: an experienced coach, returning players and an exciting start of the season.

Just two days removed from tallying 17 kills in a four-set win against Missouri, the sophomore outside hitter upped her career high to 21 kills to lift the Utes to a five-set victory over Utah State in Logan on Tuesday night.

The No. 17 Ute volleyball team hit its first speed bumps of the season as it dropped two matches against Utah Valley University and Washington State but bounced back to salvage a sharp win against Missouri in this weekend's tournament at UVU.

The No. 17 ranked Ute volleyball team easily earned its fourth consecutive win to begin the season undefeated as it beat Cal Poly in three sets.

The reigning Mountain West Conference champions will face Arizona State, UC-Riverside and Cincinnati during the weekend.

Beth Launiere has worked with both great coaches and great players, but while serving as an assistant coach for the U.S. Women's National Team at the 2009 FIVB World Grand Prix this summer, she had the opportunity to work with the best.

Utah was ranked No. 19 nationally in a preseason poll fromVolleyball Magazine. Head coach Beth Launiere was happy with the lofty ranking but wants to guard against becoming too caught up in preseason rankings.

Riding on the strength of three All-Mountain West Conference seniors, the 2008 Utah women's volleyball team earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16, but now that Lori Baird, Kathryn Haynie and Emillie Toone have concluded their Utah careers, the Utes will be forced to turn to different players to continue their winning ways.