Utes played last night against KSU, and once again lost 3-1. The managed to pull out the third game and make a run in the fourth game (thanks to some timely work by the Frosh Fields) but couldn’t win.
This is a lost season at this point, so play to have fun and let’s see what they can do to UCF, BYU, etc., that the Utes have coming up.
The Utes finish off the week with a 3-0 win against UCF, a team that just beat BYU earlier. This was a great win and I just have to wonder where has this team been all year.
Field had her second game in a row where she played well. A ton of blocks. The fun sequence was when Wilton-Laboy blocked their 6’-5" hitter three times in a row.
I can say, no matter whether they win or lose, this team has a ton of fun. The dances they do when they get points, the constant smiles and hugs. It is fun to watch.
The volleyballin’ Utes went to Texas this last week and lost to TCU 3-1 and lost to Baylor 3-0.
It is frustrating a bit to watch this team, because there is talent there but it feels like they are fighting uphill most of the time.
Win the first game against TCU, great!! Then just get steadily outplayed for the rest of the match.
Be the first team to 7 points in every game against Baylor and then just fall apart for the rest of each game.
Coach has been using Key-Powell as a pin hitter much more in the last couple of weeks, and she almost led the team in hit pct against Baylor. But, even I can see she is not a long term solution there.
I know our resident expert here knows quite a bit more, but the announcers at the Baylor game noted that the Utes are in a transition from being a 6-2 team to a 5-1 team and the learning gap is showing.
This week they have one match only vs BYU at home on Friday. The game is a red out, so if you are going be aware.
Well, Utah finally got its signature win of the season against its rival, #23 TDS. As of late, there hasn’t been much of a rivalry in that TDS wins most of the matches.
Utah did what is called a “reverse sweep”, which means Utah lost the first two sets but won the match by winning the final three sets. It was really a team effort. That said, I want to give some kudos to Joki and Emorie for really standing out on offense.
Comparatively, Utah is just much less talented. TDS has better talent in every position, imo. As of late, I have not been happy with Utah’s setting at all – today wasn’t much better. Today it was Utah’s blocking and receiving in later sets, plus the aforementioned two players.
Also, shout-out to my friend, former all-conf Ute, and colleague in Linda for doing a terrific job in commentating.
That was a fun game to watch, obviously better the last three sets. Certainly much better than seeing the Utes barf on themselves to start game 1 and then barf up the 2nd game with the Utes leading at 22 and then letting the other team go past that number and win.
As the commentators talked about the national team members on both teams, I couldn’t help but think that their 19U played the match and the Ute is injured. It was good to hear that West is practicing.
It only gets tougher with #13 Kansas coming in on Wednesday and Arizona on Friday.
Don’t think I’ve seen Joki play as well she did last night. I’m still not thrilled with Gibby’s progress. Same with the setters – so many un-hittable sets and also putting hitters in unfavorable positions.
Just got home from our game vs #13 Kansas, which we swept. That’s two straight wins over ranked teams. Tonight is the best I’ve seen this team play.
Utah’s record is now 13-13 and 5-10 in B12. If we are able to win at least 2 of the final 3 games, and with our RPI of 39, there’s an outside chance that Utah could qualify for the post-season. Still too soon, but wow.
They sure did play well. I think Kansas did have a lot of unforced errors, but many of there errors were caused by the Utes.
Hard to believe that they might sneak in to the tourney.
Another win! This one over Arizona in 5 sets. Glad to see the team playing better. Hopefully its not too little too late.
Just got home from the game – stayed a little later to watch the senior ceremony..
A terrific game vs the Wildcats. Regained our composure after the 4th set. If Utah wins one more match – most likely vs TT on the road – then we may become a bubble tourney team.
Well, fought to the end and lost 2-3 to TDS in Provo. These past few weeks, Utah played quite well. Had we won tonight, and beat TT in Lubbock, we would have had a decent chance to sneak into the tourney. At this point, although still possible, it’s highly unlikely.
Enjoyed the back and forth battle tonight! Wish we had pulled it off, but youre right, this team is really starting to play well.
I dont know a thing about the volleyball tournament, but its funny that everyone around us, both in front and back, in rpi is in ESPN’s bracketology, but we arent. Hopefully, next year.
I held out some hope that we could pull it off in Provo.
Losing the lead late in the first game, really is what hurt the team. Close out that game, and they probably win the match.
Absolutely dominant final set of a 3-0 sweep on the road in Lubbock.
Boy, are you right. Utah was trailing 12-7 in the second game, after playing a close game in the first. From that point, the Utes went 43-20 to close out the next two games pretty easily.
Not sure if the team found the proverbial “switch” that they were able to turn on the last two weeks, or if there was something material they changed, but, whatever, it worked.
They seemed to start playing better when the played Key-Powell a lot and exclusively as an OH.
Whatever, was fun to watch. Now cross fingers for an invite I guess, based on what justaute has said.
I think we ended the season with an RPI ranking of 39. Given our final record of 15-14 and how well we played in the final few matches, there’s a chance for the NCAA tourney. We’ll find out tonight.
Utah made it into the NCAA tourney! As an at-large selection, it will be playing against #6 seeded Northern Iowa. It’s in the same quad as TDS, a #5 seed, and Kentucky is the #1 seed in the quad.
4 teams from Utah in bracket: Utes, BYU, UVU, USU.
Pretty impressive!
Great news! First UNI, a 6 seed, then if we win likely the 3 seed in the bracket, Creighton. This means we are the 11 seed in that bracket. So, having the 11 seed, doesn’t that mean the Utes weren’t one of the last ones in, or does it considering conference champs from small conferences?
BYU is on the same side of bracket but the Utes wouldn’t face them until the Elite Eight. BYU is first playing Cal Poly, a team that beat the Utes 3-1 earlier this year (25-20, 27-29, 25-15, 25-16). CP is not a layup for them and I would not be surprised if CP pulls the upset.