EUGENE, Ore. – Utah Volleyball began a four-match road trip at No. 7 Oregon in Eugene on Friday night, battling deep into the first two sets before ultimately falling in straight sets (24-26, 27-29, 12-25).
Four Utes collected five or more kills as Utah totaled nine service aces against the Ducks.
Kamryn Gibadlo led the Utes offensively, capturing seven kills and set a new season-high with three aces.
Allie Olsen racked up six kills and only one hitting error, leading all attackers at a .455 clip. Both
Emrie Satuala and
Lauren Jardine connected on five kills as Jardine contributed two aces.
Vanessa Ramirez ran the back row, leading all scorers and collecting 14 digs with four assists.
Oregon started the first set winning the first three points, but the Utes responded with three points of their own to tie the set, including two consecutive aces from Olsen. Both teams matched point-for-point over the next stretch, but a 4-0 Utah run gave it the lead 10-7. Olsen and Jardine both collected a kill during the four-point run. The Ducks followed the run with four straight points to cut the Utah advantage to one point. Oregon took a slight advantage, but Utah tied the set 16-16 after Gibadlo served up two aces. Jardine gave Utah a 21-20 lead with an ace while an attack error extended the lead to two points. The set remained tight as both teams met at 24 points each. Oregon took the two points to take the first set. The Utes tallied six aces during the set as there were 15 ties and four lead changes.
The Ducks used their momentum from the first set to jump out to a 9-2 lead early in the second set. The Utes fought their way back and cut the deficit to one after an ace from
Viktoria Wahlgren, 12-11. Later in the set, Utah used a 9-3 run to jump out in front and capture its largest lead, 20-17. Satuala contributed two kills as Olsen added one of her own during the run. Utah maintained its cushion leading 23-20 but Oregon responded with a 4-0 run to take the lead with its first set point of the second set. Back-to-back kills from Olsen and
Amelia Van Der Werff gave the Utes their first lead but Ducks would win four of the next five points to steal the set.
The third set began with a 10-2 Oregon lead as the Ducks used two five-point runs to take the lead. Both teams would trade points as the cushion remained at seven points throughout the set. Oregon would grasp the final set and claim 13 of the last 20 points to seal the match.
UP NEXT
The Utes head to Corvallis, Ore., for a battle with the Oregon State Beavers on Sunday, Nov. 5. First serve at Gill Coliseum will be at 1 p.m. MT as the match will be broadcast on Pac-12 Mountain with Chris Clayton on the call.