The Daily Utah Chronicle

You could argue that the Runnin' Utes did not lose their Saturday game against Oklahoma when the clock struck 0:00 in the overtime period. Rather, they lost it down the stretch in regulation by missing free throws by the bundle.

The 2009 volleyball season resulted in something that doesn't happen very often at Utah8212;being left out of the NCAA Tournament.

During the course of Utah basketball history, the Utes have had some prolific big men: Keith Van Horn, Andrew Bogut and Luke Nevill, just to name a few. But none of them did what sophomore center David Foster did Wednesday night against Weber State.

Since Kyle Whittingham and Bronco Mendenhall took over their respective programs in 2005, Utah and BYU have been two of the top teams in the nation.

Since the early '80s, BYU football has been touted as the cream of the small-conference crop.

When the 2009 campaign officially ends, the Utah volleyball team will bid adieu to seniors middle blocker Chelsey Sandberg and outside hitter Cinthia Silva. However, the Utes will also be welcoming new additions to the program, as they have signed four players for the 2010 season.

Carlon Brown was a key contributor for the Runnin' Utes a year ago, but amid his honorable mention all-conference season that was sprinkled with highlight-reel dunks and eye-popping drives to the hoop, something was missing.

The Mountain West Conference football championship trophy is now clad in purple and destined for Fort Worth.

When the U volleyball team takes the court tonight, it'll be embarking on a two-match road trip that will go a long way in determining where it stands at season's end.

Heading into a crucial portion of its season, the Utah volleyball team will do something it hasn't done much of this season8212;go on an extended road trip.