Upcoming Event: Volleyball versus California Baptist on September 18, 2025 at 1:30 PM
1:30 PM
Volleyball
vs California Baptist
Saturday, September 2
Los Angeles, Calif.
2:00 PM
University of Utah
1
at
3
USC (USC Tournament)
No 24 Volleyball Hangs with No. 14 USC
9/2/2006 12:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 2, 2006
LOS ANGELES - The No. 24-ranked University of Utah volleyball team (2-2 overall) clashed with No. 14 USC here in the Lyon Center today, but fell short as the Women of Troy snagged a 3-1 victory over the visiting Utes.
A late rally came up short as the Utes spotted USC (5-0) a 2-0 lead in games. The Utes fought back in game three, erasing a 13-8 deficit to win it in extra points. But, USC was too much as it overcame a 5-1 early deficit to win game one and held the Utes at bay in games two and four for the win.
Game scores were 30-25, 30-21, 30-32 and 30-24.
"I thought that USC came out and played tremendous defense. It dug a lot of our attacks tonight," said head coach Beth Launiere. "That meant that we had to raise our level of play and I think we did. There was a lot of ebb and flow for us out there but I believe we showed up and battled.
"I really liked the way we came back and won game three. We showed a lot of poise and determination in winning that game and that matters. We may not have won that match but those things matter on the court."
Airial Salvo led all Utes with her third straight double-double. She compiled a team-best 17 kills and 21 digs. Complimenting Salvo on offense was Lori Baird (13 kills) and Whitney Webb (10). Webb had a double-double as well with 10 digs.
The Utes hit .206 for the match, topping out at .289 in the fourth and final frame. Utah's top hitter was Kathryn Lovell. She hit .286, bagging nine kills on 21 swings.
The offense ran through the tandem of Sydney Anderson and Shannon Krug. Anderson got the start and dished out 23 assists. Krug came on to play the final three games and handed out 30 assists to go along with three digs and three total blocks.
Defensively, Utah held the 15-8 edge in team blocks. Emillie Toone led all players with 12 total blocks, all block assists. Webb had five. The Toone-Webb duo alone accounted for 8.5 of the team's blocks, more than all of USC's combined.
The Women of Troy hit .246 for the match. Diane Copenhagen's 23 kills led all players as did Taylor Carico's 62 assists. Debora Seilhamer led USC from the back row with 33 digs.
The Utes return to the court tomorrow when they meet Western Athletic Conference rival Fresno State here at the Lyon Center. First serve is set for 2 p.m. (PDT).
Notes - With the 32-30 win in game three, Utah is 3-1 in games that go into extra points this season ... Utah is now 0-2 against ranked teams this season. It also fell to No. 5 Florida, 3-1 ... 11 of the 12 Utes saw action in today's match ... the Utes have out-blocked their last three opponents by a combined 41.5-30.
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
OH/MB
/ Volleyball
OH/MB
/ VolleyballCrimson Corner with Bill Riley - Keith Kelley, voice of the Wyoming Cowboys
Tuesday, September 09
Utah Volleyball's Kamryn Gibadlo - ESPN+ Feature
Tuesday, September 09
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Ron McBride
Wednesday, September 03
Utah Volleyball's Head Coach Beth Launiere begins her 36th season at the helm! - ESPN+ Feature
Saturday, August 30