Thursday, December 4
Omaha, NE
3:30 pm
University of Utah
15-15,7-11Big 12
2
vs
3
University of Northern Iowa
26-5,16-0MVC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah | 25 | 25 | 24 | 20 | 10 | 2 |
| UNI | 15 | 21 | 26 | 25 | 15 | 3 |
Photo by: Anna Fuder/Utah Athletics
Utah Volleyball’s Season Ends in the NCAA Tournament
12/4/2025 7:31 PM | Volleyball
Utes’ 2025 journey wrapped in first-round battle with six-seed Northern Iowa
OMAHA, Neb. – Utah Volleyball's 2025 season came to an end Thursday afternoon against six-seed Northern Iowa in the first round of the NCAA-Tournament, 3-2.
The Utes raced to a 2-0 lead over the Panthers in the first two sets but couldn't stop a late rally from UNI in the last three sets (25-15, 25-21, 24-26, 20-25, 10-15) ending their season at 15-15.
"We are very proud to have gotten to the tournament," said head coach Beth Launiere. "I think it's been well-documented that we faced a lot of adversity this year. I couldn't be more proud of my team for overcoming that, working together, finding a way, and getting us to this point."
SET ONE
An ace from Neea-Maria Joki gets Utah's NCAA Tournament journey started, aiding in the Utes' 6-0 start over Northern Iowa.
By the halfway point, Utah held a healthy, 12-6 advantage over the Panthers with Levani Key-Powell leading the way offensively in kills with three, while Kamryn Gibadlo and Emrie Moea'i led the defensive effort with two digs and two blocks respectively.
The Utes never took their foot off the gas and raced to a 25-15 first-set win off a Leah Wilton-LaBoy dunk block.
SET TWO
Set two started closer with UNI and Utah going back-and-forth with two ties before the Utes jumped ahead, 5-3.
Northern Iowa continued to keep within striking distance of the Utes, tying things up for a third time at 10 by midway through the set, but Utah quickly put an end to that, 12-10.
UNI tied the match up for a fourth time at 18, putting the pressure on Utah down the stretch, but a massive block out of a timeout from Gibadlo and Katelynn Field tipped the scales in the Utes' favor for good, 25-21.
SET THREE
Northern Iowa continued to keep close tabs on the Utes in set three, trading eight ties and three lead changes early in the contest before Utah pulled away, 12-10.
UNI continued to push Utah to the max in set three, forcing the contest into extra points and a fourth set, 26-24.
SET FOUR
The Panther channeled their momentum early in the match to a 6-0 lead before the Utes got their first point off a Moea'i block.
After falling into a 9-1 hole, Utah began to climb their way back into the set to get within five of the Panthers, 10-5. The Utes kept posturing for a comeback, getting within four of UNI, 14-10 at the halfway point.
When all hope looked to be lost for Utah in the set, the Utes dug deep to get within three of UNI, 22-19, but the Panthers pushed forward 25-20 to force a fifth and final set.
SET FIVE
UNI jumped out to a 5-1 lead to start set five, getting to 8-4 to mark the halfway point of the final contest.
Despite Utah's best efforts, they couldn't fully close the gap, falling to the Panthers in the fifth set, 15-10, and closing out their time in the NCAA Tournament, 3-2.
STANDOUT STATS
For an inside look at the Utah Volleyball program, including tournament, roster and news updates, fans can follow the Utes on social media (Twitter: @UtahVolleyball | Instagram: @utahvolleyball).
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL MOBILE APP OF THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH TODAY – UTAH 360
The Utes raced to a 2-0 lead over the Panthers in the first two sets but couldn't stop a late rally from UNI in the last three sets (25-15, 25-21, 24-26, 20-25, 10-15) ending their season at 15-15.
"We are very proud to have gotten to the tournament," said head coach Beth Launiere. "I think it's been well-documented that we faced a lot of adversity this year. I couldn't be more proud of my team for overcoming that, working together, finding a way, and getting us to this point."
Thank you for cheering us on all season long ????#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/wVZlYHquqU
— Utah Volleyball (@UtahVolleyball) December 5, 2025
SET ONE
An ace from Neea-Maria Joki gets Utah's NCAA Tournament journey started, aiding in the Utes' 6-0 start over Northern Iowa.
By the halfway point, Utah held a healthy, 12-6 advantage over the Panthers with Levani Key-Powell leading the way offensively in kills with three, while Kamryn Gibadlo and Emrie Moea'i led the defensive effort with two digs and two blocks respectively.
One down ??
— Utah Volleyball (@UtahVolleyball) December 4, 2025
??ESPN+#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/kYdBdM6szK
The Utes never took their foot off the gas and raced to a 25-15 first-set win off a Leah Wilton-LaBoy dunk block.
SET TWO
Set two started closer with UNI and Utah going back-and-forth with two ties before the Utes jumped ahead, 5-3.
Northern Iowa continued to keep within striking distance of the Utes, tying things up for a third time at 10 by midway through the set, but Utah quickly put an end to that, 12-10.
UNI tied the match up for a fourth time at 18, putting the pressure on Utah down the stretch, but a massive block out of a timeout from Gibadlo and Katelynn Field tipped the scales in the Utes' favor for good, 25-21.
It's a Block Party in the second set ??
— Utah Volleyball (@UtahVolleyball) December 4, 2025
??ESPN+#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/qkqyAMsDHS
SET THREE
Northern Iowa continued to keep close tabs on the Utes in set three, trading eight ties and three lead changes early in the contest before Utah pulled away, 12-10.
UNI continued to push Utah to the max in set three, forcing the contest into extra points and a fourth set, 26-24.
"The Utah Block has been MOUNTAINOUS???"
— Utah Volleyball (@UtahVolleyball) December 4, 2025
Emrie Moea'i, Katelynn Field and Leah Wilton-LaBoy have 6 Blocks Assisted each ?????
??ESPN+#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/vYNss6hoNJ
SET FOUR
The Panther channeled their momentum early in the match to a 6-0 lead before the Utes got their first point off a Moea'i block.
After falling into a 9-1 hole, Utah began to climb their way back into the set to get within five of the Panthers, 10-5. The Utes kept posturing for a comeback, getting within four of UNI, 14-10 at the halfway point.
When all hope looked to be lost for Utah in the set, the Utes dug deep to get within three of UNI, 22-19, but the Panthers pushed forward 25-20 to force a fifth and final set.
SET FIVE
UNI jumped out to a 5-1 lead to start set five, getting to 8-4 to mark the halfway point of the final contest.
Despite Utah's best efforts, they couldn't fully close the gap, falling to the Panthers in the fifth set, 15-10, and closing out their time in the NCAA Tournament, 3-2.
STANDOUT STATS
- Utes Total Stats: 65kills off 160 total attempts, 1 ace, 63 assists, 18 blocks, 60 digs.
- Gibadlo led the Utes in kills (20) and digs (12) marking her 14th double-double of 2025.
- Key-Powell matched her career-high in kills (17) while adding six digs and two blocks to her stat line.
- Joki finished the night with 12 kills, one ace, six digs, and five blocks.
- Moea'i ended her career on 10 kills and matching her season-high of 10 blocks.
- Wilton-LaBoy signed off with 48 assists, 11 digs, and six blocks.
- Iliana Linahan wrapped up her career with match her career-high in assists (2) while adding nine digs.
For an inside look at the Utah Volleyball program, including tournament, roster and news updates, fans can follow the Utes on social media (Twitter: @UtahVolleyball | Instagram: @utahvolleyball).
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL MOBILE APP OF THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH TODAY – UTAH 360
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
OH/OPP
/ Volleyball
L/DS
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballTeam Stats
Utah
UNI
Kills
65
66
Errors
16
29
Attempts
160
173
Hitting %
.306
.214
Points
84.0
77.0
Assists
63
63
Aces
1
7
Blocks
18
4
Game Leaders
Kills
20
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
17
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
12
Aces
1
Blocks
5
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
10
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