Upcoming Event: Volleyball versus Weber State (Exhibition) on August 15, 2026 at 3:00 P.M.
3:00 P.M.
Volleyball
vs Weber State (Exhibition)
.png&width=31&height=31&type=webp)
The University of Utah Athletics
UTES Fall to No. 18 Michigan State at Tournament Opening
6/21/1999 12:00 AM | Volleyball
September 20, 1998
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Utah dropped its second match of the season to a Top 25 team in as many tries, falling to No. 18 Michigan State on Friday night at Jenison Field House 15-12, 15-9, 16-14. It was the opening match of MSU's Invitational.
Kalani Tonga led Utah (6-3) with 13 kills and eight digs. Brooke Barton had 10 kills and eight digs. Sara Shakula posted eight kills and five blocks. Three-time all-Big Ten performer Jenna Wrobel led Michigan State (5-1) with 19 kills, a .516 hitting percentage and eight digs.
After jumping on the Spartans early in game one, Utah seemingly hit the wall. Leading 12-9, the Utes gave up six unanswered points to drop the first game 15-12. After trailing most of the second game and losing 15-9, Utah jumped on MSU again in the third game, leading 13-9. The Spartans tied it at 13-all and won 16-14 after Utah fought off three game points in front of a rowdy, partisan crowd of 1,008.
"We were a little tight tonight, and we've done that twice now against a Top 25 team this year," said Ute head coach Beth Launiere. "I told the team that each of them individually needs to fin a level of competitiveness that's positive. We did some things well, but just couldn't put games away."
Utah will have another crack at nationally ranked team when it faces Notre Dame on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Utah closes out the tournament against New Hampshire at 5:00 p.m.
Get to know new Utah Volleyball Head Coach Alyssa D'Errico.
Wednesday, December 10
Utah Volleyball Press Conference - 12.10.25
Wednesday, December 10
ESPN+ Feature | Utah Volleyball's Leah Wilton-LaBoy
Thursday, November 20
ESPN+ Feature | Utah Volleyball's Devyn Weist
Thursday, November 06