Utes Continue to Build Beach Volleyball Program Heading into Year Three

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah beach volleyball program is set to begin its third season as a program this Thursday, March 7 against Cal.

Most of the team consists of indoor players that switch over in the spring for the beach season, but Keana Smalls, Jessica Villela, Olivia Teerlink and Tawnee Luafalemana have been training for beach all year.

"Our beach players have been working hard in practice for the last 6 months without any off season matches, so they are more than excited for our first ones this coming week," head coach Brenda Whicker said. "I'm happy with the progress they've made, and I'm hoping the indoor players are ready to switch into beach mode for the next couple months."

Three of the beach players are in their first season with Utah and Tawnee Luafalemana is finishing out her collegiate career after playing two seasons on in the indoor team.

Luafalemana had a decorative career on the court for Utah in her two seasons. She was named honorable mention All-Pac 12 both seasons after being a mainstay in the middle. Her last season, she was also named an honorable mention AVCA All-American as well as honorable mention AVCA All-Pacific South Region.

For Luafalemana's beach career, she played primarily in the No. 2 position winning four matches last season and three in the team's inaugural season.

Olivia Teerlink is going to be in her first season playing, but is familiar with the program as she was a manager with the team a season ago. Teerlink is originally from Sacramento, California and was a four-year letterwinner at Bella Vista High School. She was a team captain her senior season.

Keana Smalls transferred to Utah from Warner University where she spent time in the No. 2 position. Before playing at Warner, Smalls spent two seasons at Arizona Western College playing indoor. She is originally from Layton, Utah and went to Northridge HS.

A freshman addition to the team is Jessica Villela. From Glendale, Arizona, Villela finished ninth overall at the AAU Beach Volleyball Nationals at the 16U division. She spent two seasons at Pinnacle High School and played club for RPM Sand.

These four as well as the rest of the team get their season started this Thursday, March 7 at Cal. The team will also be hosting their first home tournament on Saturday, April 13. Colorado Mesa and Boise State will be coming to town with the first match being at 10 a.m.

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Utes Continue to Build Beach Volleyball Program Heading into Year Three

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Tawnee Luafalemana

Keana Smalls

Olivia Teerlink

Jessica Villela

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