Thursday, October 15
Salt Lake City, UT
7:00 PM
University of Utah
vs
BYU
Utah Volleyball Focused on Rivalry with No. 14 BYU
10/12/2026 2:04 PM | Volleyball
Utes also hit the road to take on Iowa State
SALT LAKE CITY– Utah Volleyball (12-4) has one more opportunity at home this week, hosting rival, No. 14 BYU (13-1) at the Huntsman Center on Thursday, Oct. 15 with first serve set for 7 p.m. in a Red Out.
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Utah's match against BYU will be available to watch on ESPN+ with Krista Blunk and Linda Byington on the call, and Sammy Miller on the sideline.
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The Utes will then have a quick turnaround, jumping on a plane to Ames for a Saturday matinée with Iowa State (10-6) at Hilton Coliseum.
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Fans can tune into the action on ESPN+ with Alex Cohen, Abby Greiman and Elizabeth Ihle on the call on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. MT.
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QUICK HITS
•The Utes currently rank first in the country in kills per set (14.57), fourth in assists per set (13.40), 18th in hitting percentage average (.275) and 21st in blocks per set (2.72).
•Utah moved up in the RPI this week from 26 to 25.
•Utah is currently (11-1) in three-set matches on the year with their only loss coming against No. 19 Kansas on the road. The program record for the most 3-0 wins in a year is 20 set back in 2006.
•The Utes made their first appearance of 2026 in the AVCA Rankings at No. 23 (9/28) after beating No. 21 Colorado and No. 17 Baylor.
•Utah's 12-4 record under Alyssa D'Errico is the best start under a first-year head coach in program history.
•D'Errico and the Utes started 2026 with four straight sweeps of their opponents (Utah Valley, Utah Tech, Oregon State, and Wyoming) setting a new program record for number of sweeps to start a season.
•Alyssa D'Errico makes her debut (12-4) in 2026 as Utah Volleyball's sixth head coach in program history starting after legendary head coach Beth Launiere retired at the conclusion of the 2025 season after 36 years at the helm.
•Utah returns 13 players from last season's team that stamped the program's ticket to its 20th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Outside hitter Kamryn Gibadlo is the most decorated of the group, earning First Team All-Big 12, First Team AVCA All-Region, and AVCA All-America Honorable Mention honors.
•The Utes welcome five newcomers to their 2026 squad that include two freshmen, and three transfers.
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CONFERENCE STANDINGS AS OF 10/12
•Utah ranks first in the Big 12 in kills (772 total, 14.57/set) and assists (710 total, 13.40/set).
•The Utes are second in the conference in opponent hitting percentage (.171) and third in blocks (144 total, 2.72/set) and aces (95 total, 1.79/set).
•Utah is fourth in the conference in hitting percentage (.275).
•Through all matches played, Sierra Grizzle is second in the Big 12 in digs (215 total, 4.06/set) and Katelynn Field is second in hitting percentage (.415) and fourth in blocks (52 total, 1.27/set). Princess Atamah sits sixth in the conference in blocks (58 total, 1.21/set) and ninth in hitting percentage (.347). Kamryn Gibadlo is ninth in points (242.5 total, 4.58/set) and 10th in kills (206 total, 3.89/set) while Isabella Mogridge takes 10th in assists (404 total, 7.62/set).
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SCOUTING BYU
Utah vs. BYU: 33-79
H: 17-28 | A: 10-49 | N: 5-3
It's a new look for both coaching staffs in the BYU-Utah volleyball matchup, with Coach Neilson coming into the Cougars staff after a successful, six-year tenure at Utah State where he won 65% of matches, and Coach D'Errico starting off her first head coaching job with a 12-4 record. The two Wasatch-front rivals come into the match with BYU having the all-time lead in the rivalry by a wide margin. In 2025, the Utes and the Cougars split the series, with both matches ending in fifth-set thrillers. BYU comes into Thursday's match red-hot, sweeping their past three opponents, including No. 19 Kansas on the road. Their one loss so far on the season has come at the hands of No. 2 Pittsburgh, who narrowly defeated the Cougs 3-2.
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SCOUTING Iowa State
Utah vs. BYU: 4-2
H: 1-1 | A: 1-1 | N: 2-0
Utah heads back to the Midwest for a one-game road trip against Iowa State. The Cyclones come into the match starting their 2026 Big 12 campaign posting a 4-1 record, with wins over Kansas State, Arizona and UCF. Contrary to the Utes and Cougars, Iowa State is led by longtime tenured coach Christy Johnson-Lynch. Through 646 matches at the helm for Iowa State, Coach Johnson-Lynch has notched an impressive 64%-win percentage and has started this season right around that mark. The Utes and Cyclones have split their matches so far in Big 12 play, with both games won in the fifth set.
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UP NEXT
Utah comes home for a week to host No. 8 Arizona State on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7p.m and No. 25 Colorado on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 1p.m. MT.
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The Utes' match against the Buffs will be a celebration for legendary head coach Beth Launiere who retired after 36 seasons at the helm in 2025.
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2026 UTAH VOLLEYBALL TICKETS
Season and single game tickets for 2026 are on sale now. Be sure to secure yours and catch all the action in the Huntsman Center. Visit utahutes.evenue.net to help make the JMHC one of the best home court advantages in college volleyball.
FOLLOW THE UTES
For an inside look at the Utah Volleyball program, fans can follow the Utes on social media (X: @UtahVolleyball | Instagram: @utahvolleyball).
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL MOBILE APP OF THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH TODAY – UTAH 360
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Utah's match against BYU will be available to watch on ESPN+ with Krista Blunk and Linda Byington on the call, and Sammy Miller on the sideline.
Â
The Utes will then have a quick turnaround, jumping on a plane to Ames for a Saturday matinée with Iowa State (10-6) at Hilton Coliseum.
Â
Fans can tune into the action on ESPN+ with Alex Cohen, Abby Greiman and Elizabeth Ihle on the call on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. MT.
Â
QUICK HITS
•The Utes currently rank first in the country in kills per set (14.57), fourth in assists per set (13.40), 18th in hitting percentage average (.275) and 21st in blocks per set (2.72).
•Utah moved up in the RPI this week from 26 to 25.
•Utah is currently (11-1) in three-set matches on the year with their only loss coming against No. 19 Kansas on the road. The program record for the most 3-0 wins in a year is 20 set back in 2006.
•The Utes made their first appearance of 2026 in the AVCA Rankings at No. 23 (9/28) after beating No. 21 Colorado and No. 17 Baylor.
•Utah's 12-4 record under Alyssa D'Errico is the best start under a first-year head coach in program history.
•D'Errico and the Utes started 2026 with four straight sweeps of their opponents (Utah Valley, Utah Tech, Oregon State, and Wyoming) setting a new program record for number of sweeps to start a season.
•Alyssa D'Errico makes her debut (12-4) in 2026 as Utah Volleyball's sixth head coach in program history starting after legendary head coach Beth Launiere retired at the conclusion of the 2025 season after 36 years at the helm.
•Utah returns 13 players from last season's team that stamped the program's ticket to its 20th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Outside hitter Kamryn Gibadlo is the most decorated of the group, earning First Team All-Big 12, First Team AVCA All-Region, and AVCA All-America Honorable Mention honors.
•The Utes welcome five newcomers to their 2026 squad that include two freshmen, and three transfers.
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CONFERENCE STANDINGS AS OF 10/12
•Utah ranks first in the Big 12 in kills (772 total, 14.57/set) and assists (710 total, 13.40/set).
•The Utes are second in the conference in opponent hitting percentage (.171) and third in blocks (144 total, 2.72/set) and aces (95 total, 1.79/set).
•Utah is fourth in the conference in hitting percentage (.275).
•Through all matches played, Sierra Grizzle is second in the Big 12 in digs (215 total, 4.06/set) and Katelynn Field is second in hitting percentage (.415) and fourth in blocks (52 total, 1.27/set). Princess Atamah sits sixth in the conference in blocks (58 total, 1.21/set) and ninth in hitting percentage (.347). Kamryn Gibadlo is ninth in points (242.5 total, 4.58/set) and 10th in kills (206 total, 3.89/set) while Isabella Mogridge takes 10th in assists (404 total, 7.62/set).
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SCOUTING BYU
Utah vs. BYU: 33-79
H: 17-28 | A: 10-49 | N: 5-3
It's a new look for both coaching staffs in the BYU-Utah volleyball matchup, with Coach Neilson coming into the Cougars staff after a successful, six-year tenure at Utah State where he won 65% of matches, and Coach D'Errico starting off her first head coaching job with a 12-4 record. The two Wasatch-front rivals come into the match with BYU having the all-time lead in the rivalry by a wide margin. In 2025, the Utes and the Cougars split the series, with both matches ending in fifth-set thrillers. BYU comes into Thursday's match red-hot, sweeping their past three opponents, including No. 19 Kansas on the road. Their one loss so far on the season has come at the hands of No. 2 Pittsburgh, who narrowly defeated the Cougs 3-2.
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SCOUTING Iowa State
Utah vs. BYU: 4-2
H: 1-1 | A: 1-1 | N: 2-0
Utah heads back to the Midwest for a one-game road trip against Iowa State. The Cyclones come into the match starting their 2026 Big 12 campaign posting a 4-1 record, with wins over Kansas State, Arizona and UCF. Contrary to the Utes and Cougars, Iowa State is led by longtime tenured coach Christy Johnson-Lynch. Through 646 matches at the helm for Iowa State, Coach Johnson-Lynch has notched an impressive 64%-win percentage and has started this season right around that mark. The Utes and Cyclones have split their matches so far in Big 12 play, with both games won in the fifth set.
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UP NEXT
Utah comes home for a week to host No. 8 Arizona State on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7p.m and No. 25 Colorado on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 1p.m. MT.
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The Utes' match against the Buffs will be a celebration for legendary head coach Beth Launiere who retired after 36 seasons at the helm in 2025.
Â
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2026 UTAH VOLLEYBALL TICKETS
Season and single game tickets for 2026 are on sale now. Be sure to secure yours and catch all the action in the Huntsman Center. Visit utahutes.evenue.net to help make the JMHC one of the best home court advantages in college volleyball.
FOLLOW THE UTES
For an inside look at the Utah Volleyball program, fans can follow the Utes on social media (X: @UtahVolleyball | Instagram: @utahvolleyball).
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL MOBILE APP OF THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH TODAY – UTAH 360
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Players Mentioned
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