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Utah Volleyball To Face In-State Rival Brigham Young
10/31/2000 12:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 31, 2000
Salt Lake City - COMING UP: Utah will match-up again with BYU, in Provo, Utah, at 7:00 p.m. (MST) on Fri., Nov. 3.
A QUICK LOOK AT UTAH: The No. 20 ranked University of Utah women's volleyball team split two matches at home last week with MWC opponents Colorado State and Wyoming. The Utes lost to then-No. 3 ranked Colorado State in three games (15-7, 15-2, 15-11) on Fri., Oct. 27. On Sat., Oct. 28, Utah defeated Wyoming, 3-0 (15-3, 15-7, 15-12). The Utes are now 17-5 overall, 8-3 in MWC play.
The University of Utah women's volleyball team continues to stay in the Top 25 USA Today/AVCA poll. The Utes are ranked No. 20 in this week's poll. Utah received 341 votes in the Oct. 30 poll. The Utes earned their first-ever national ranking, coming in 18th in the USA Today/AVCA Top 25 poll released Mon., Sept. 11.
Possible starters for the Utes in the match-up against Brigham Young are: Jen Snow-Richards (Sr., OH), Lucie Turkov? (Sr., S), Lenka Urbanov? (Jr., OH), Alisa Geddes (Jr., OH), Katrena Ellett (So., MB), Brooke Barton (Sr., OH/DS), Kim Turner (Fr., MB) and Adrianne Bradley-Drake (Jr., OH/DS). The Utes return five starters, 12 letterwinners and add three true freshmen to this year's roster. Utah received 31 votes to rank 29th in the 1999 season end USA Today/AVCA Top 25 Poll. Utah's 1999 final RPI ranking, produced by the NCAA, was 22nd.
SCOUTING No. 14 RANKED BRIGHAM YOUNG: The No. 14 ranked Brigham Young women's volleyball defeated Wyoming in four-games (13-15, 15-1, 15-5, 15-11) on Fri., Oct. 27, in Provo, Utah. On Sat., Oct. 28, BYU upset the No. 3 ranked Colorado State Rams in a quick three-game match-up (15-1, 15-4, 15-11) in Provo, Utah. BYU improved to 17-6 overall and 9-2 in the Mountain West Conference play.
Jackie Bundy led the Cougar offensive attack against Colorado State with 10 kills and a career-high .769 hitting percentage. She also had five digs and a team-high six blocks. All-American Nina Puikkonen finished with a match-high 12 kills and added four blocks and four digs.
The Cougars jumped on the Rams quickly, winning the first game 15-1 and the second 15-4. BYU coach Elaine Michaelis said a key to the quick start for the Cougars was their tempo of play.
Holding Wyoming to just three kills in the second game, the No. 14 BYU women's volleyball team rallied back from a lackluster opening game to beat the Cowgirls 13-15, 15-1, 15-5, 15-11 Friday in the Smith Fieldhouse. Wyoming dropped to 9-17 overall and 1-8 in the conference.
The Cougars used a solid defensive effort to make up for a slow start on offense, holding their opponent to a negative hitting percentage in the second and third games. Wyoming finished the match with a .050 hitting percentage. Junior Natalie Whittaker shored up the defense, recording 11 digs on the night.
Meanwhile, the Cougar offense began to click as redshirt freshman setter Karina Puikkonen dished out 19 assists in the third game. Sophomore Sunny Tonga tallied 20 kills and a season-high .679 hitting percentage in the match while Nina Puikkonen finished with 18 kills and seven block assists.
Elaine Michaelis enters her 39th year at the helm of the Cougar volleyball program. While at Brigham Young, Michaelis has amassed an 841-209-5 record (.797), and led the Cougars to 10 top-five and 19 top-10 national placements.
SERIES SHORTS: Brigham Young leads the all-time series with Utah dating back to 1970, 58-7. In their last meeting on Oct. 6, 2000, Utah swept the Cougars 3-0 (15-5, 15-8, 15-7) in Salt Lake City. It was the first time in four years that the Utes have taken a game from the Cougars, much less a three-game sweep of BYU. The Utes are 6-19 at home, 1-28 away and 0-11 at a neutral site vs. the Cougars.
QUOTING LAUNIERE: On the upcoming Brigham Young match: "Both McKelle (Stilson) and Alisa (Geddes) will be questionable for this weekend's match-up with BYU. We felt like we were able to get the job done with the people that we have in the line-up right now, so we know we can deal with the injuries. I think BYU is playing much better than they were when they came up here. They are always tough to beat at home, but we're going into the match-up with a lot of confidence. We will have to continue to execute and focus, but I think it will be a very good match."
INJURY REPORT: Junior outside hitter Alisa Geddes went down with an ankle sprain Fri., Oct. 21, in the match-up with UNLV. Geddes may or may not play this weekend against BYU. She could possibly play back row for the Utes. The decision is still pending. Middle blocker McKelle Stilson is out for one week and possibly two weeks for an on-going knee injury. Stilson has seen limited practice time due to the knee injury, but needs more rest and will not play in the match-up with BYU.
UTES IN THE POLLS: The University of Utah women's volleyball team continues to stay in the Top 25 USA Today/AVCA poll. The Utes are ranked No. 20 in this week's poll. Utah received 341 votes in the Oct. 30 poll.
The Utes earned their first-ever national ranking, coming in 18th in the USA Today/AVCA Top 25 poll released Mon., Sept. 11. Utah, which wasn't ranked in previous polls, received 417 points and boasts an 8-1 overall record entering this week's match-ups with San Diego State and UNLV.
Utah has already defeated three ranked teams this season. The Utes defeated then-No. 1-ranked Stanford in five games on Tues., Sept. 5, and then-No. 24-ranked San Diego on Sat., Sept. 9. Utah lost its first match of the 2000 season to then-No. 13 ranked Arizona on Sat., Sept. 16. The Utes lost to No. 3 ranked Colorado State in three games, 15-1, 15-8, 15-10 on Sat., Sept. 30 in Fort Collins, Colo. Utah upset in-state rival and then-No. 13-ranked Brigham Young in a three game sweep, 15-5, 15-8, 15-7, on Fri., Oct. 6.
Utah is one of three MWC teams ranked in the polls. Other MWC teams ranked are: Colorado State (6th) and BYU (14th).
"It is really nice recognition for our program and for our players because they deserve it," said Launiere. "Even though we are ranked now, we still have our focus and each match is an important one for us. We've done very well near the end of the season for the past few years and we want to continue that because that is when it counts."
Utah was one of three Mountain West Conference schools that appeared in the USA Today/AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches' Association) Preseason Poll, announced on Mon., Aug. 14. Colorado State and Brigham Young ranked 13th and 15th, while Utah, with 59 points, checked in at No. 30.
UP NEXT: Utah travels to Colorado Springs, Colo. on Fri., Nov. 10, taking on the Air Force Falcons at 7:00 p.m. (MST). On Sat., Nov. 11, Utah will face MWC opponent New Mexico in Albuquerque, N.M. at 7:00 p.m. (MST). The Utes will travel to Fort Collins, Colo. on Nov. 15-18 to compete for the Mountain West Conference Tournament crown. On Nov. 22, Utah will face Weber State in Ogden, Utah at 7:00 p.m. (MST). The Utes end their regular-season at home with a match against non-conference opponent Denver on Sat., Nov. 25, at 1:00 p.m. (MST).
WYOMING RECAP: The University of Utah women's volleyball team defeated the Wyoming Cowgirls in three games, 15-3, 15-7, 15-12 at Crimson Court on Sat., Oct. 28. Wyoming fell to 9-18 on the season, 1-9 in Mountain West Conference play.
Senior Jen Snow-Richards led the Utes with a season-high 14 kills for an impressive .619 hitting percentage. Outside hitter Lenka Urbanova totaled 10 kills for a .467 hitting percentage and led the team with 13 digs. Sophomore Katrena Ellett added nine kills and 12 digs, while freshman Kim Turner had seven kills and five blocks. Senior setter Lucie Turkova posted 34 assists and nine digs in the match. As a team Utah had a .252 hitting percentage and added seven total team blocks.
Michele Rauter and Melody Friehauf led the Cowgirls with five kills each. Rauter totaled 10 digs and teammate Shannon Patrick also racked-up 10 digs. Setters Katy Brown and Stefanie Snyder combined for 19 assists in the match. Wyoming hit for only .065 and added six total team blocks.
"I think we executed very well against Wyoming from the beginning," said head coach Beth Launiere. "We played really well as a team and we haven't had an easy win in a while. We went out and executed and grabbed a three-game win. This match was important for our confidence and it helped us flow well as a team. We took care of business and beat them in three games and I am proud of our kids for the win."
COLORADO STATE RECAP: The University of Utah women's volleyball team lost to the No. 3 ranked Colorado State Rams in three games, 15-7, 15-2, 15-11 at Crimson Court on Fri., Oct. 27. Colorado State improved to 23-1 on the season, 9-0 in Mountain West Conference play.
Sophomore Katrena Ellett led Utah with 10 kills for a .240 hitting percentage. Kim Turner and Jen Snow-Richards each totaled eight kills, while Lenka Urbanova had seven kills and six digs. Senior Brooke Barton totaled six digs and setter Lucie Turkova posted 32 assists. As a team Utah managed a .109 hitting percentage and added six total team blocks.
For the Rams, Courtney Cox racked up 16 kills for a .467 hitting percentage. Angela Knopf added nine kills, while Soraya Santos totaled eight kills and 13 digs. Allison Peckham posted 38 assists and teammate Krista Swartzendruber added 11 digs. Colorado State hit for .333 and added four total team blocks.
"I think Colorado State is a legitimate top-ranked team," said head coach Beth Launiere. "They execute very well and don't give you anything, and then you have to match that. We did some very nice things against CSU, but we didn't sustain it. I was very proud of my team for competing they way they did because they didn't let down and didn't let Colorado State intimidate them. We played hard and we are minus a couple of players that we need in our line-up, but I was proud of our kids for competing the way they did."
UTAH VS. RANKED OPPONENTS: Utah is 3-4 (.429) vs. opponents ranked in the Top 25 USA Today/AVCA Coaches' Poll. On Tues., Sept. 5, the Utes made a five-game comeback win over then-No. 1-ranked Stanford University in a 2 1/2-hour match at Crimson Court. Utah won 13-15, 12-15, 15-6, 15-10, 15-9. On Sat., Sept. 9, Utah shut-down No. 24 ranked San Diego in five games, (14-16, 15-6, 11-15, 15-12, 15-10). On Sat., Sept. 16, Utah was handed its first loss of the 2000 season by then-No. 13-ranked Arizona Wildcats. The Utes lost in three games, 15-3, 15-8, 15-10. Utah lost to then-No. 3 ranked Colorado State in three games, 15-1, 15-8, 15-10 on Sat., Sept. 30 in Fort Collins, Colo. The Utah women's volleyball team upset in-state rival in a three game sweep, 15-5, 15-8, 15-7, over then-No. 13-ranked Brigham Young on Fri., Oct. 6. Utah lost to then-No. 25-ranked Utah State in Logan, Utah on Tues., Oct. 10. The Utes lost, 3-1 (15-8, 8-15, 12-15, 10-15). Utah lost to then-No. 3 ranked Colorado State in three-games (15-7, 15-2, 15-11) on Fri., Oct. 28, in Salt Lake City.
NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL ATTENDANCE: Utah ranks 29th in the nation in home match attendance. In 11 matches at home, the Utes have brought in 8,331 fans, an average of 757 fans per match. Utah's match with then-No.-13 ranked Brigham Young on Oct. 6, ranks in as the 125th highest with a single-match attendance of 1,427. Utah's match-up with then-No. 3 ranked Colorado State ranks in as the 178th highest with a single-match attendance of 1,113. Utah's match with then-No. 1-ranked Stanford on Sept. 5, ranks in as the 184th highest with a single-match attendance of 1,072.
TURKOVA NAMED VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Senior setter Lucie Turkov? from Utah was named the Mountain West Conference Volleyball Player of the Week (Oct. 9-13) after leading the Utes to victories over Idaho State and then-No. 13 BYU last week. The Player of the Week honor was the first for Turkov?.
A native of Brno, Czech Republic, Turkov? became just the second Mountain West Conference player to record a triple-double this season after totaling 32 assists, 10 kills and 10 digs while hitting .600 (10k-1e-15a) in a three-game upset over then-No. 13 BYU (15-5, 15-8, 15-7) Fri., Oct. 6. The Ute win snapped a nine-match drought vs. the Cougars, and marked the first conference victory for Utah over BYU since 1985. Turkov? also racked up 36 assists and hit .222 (3k-1e-9a) in a three-game sweep over Idaho State (15-6, 15-10, 15-5) on Tues., Oct. 3.
An Academic All-MWC selection in 1999, Turkov? set the single match assist record with 81 vs. then-No. 1 Stanford on Sept. 5.
ALL-TOURNAMENT HONORS: Three Utah players were named to the 2000 University of New Hampshire All-Tournament Team. They were: Lucie Turkov?, Jen Snow-Richards and Tournament MVP Katrena Ellett.
Three Utah players were named to the 2000 Cal Poly SLO All-Tournament Team. They were: Lenka Urbanov?, Jen Snow-Richards and tournament MVP, McKelle Stilson.
INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM NOTES: Senior Brooke Barton tied a career-high for kills (14) vs. Cal Poly SLO on Sat., Sept. 9, 2000. On Sept. 9, Barton recorded a double-double with 14 kills and 10 digs vs. Cal Poly SLO. She has posted double-figure kills one time and double-figure digs 3 times in 20 matches. Senior Jen Snow-Richards set a career-high .722 hitting percentage against UMass and a career-high four service aces vs. New Hampshire on Sat., Sept. 2, 2000 On Tues., Sept. 5, 2000, Snow-Richards racked up a career-high and a MWC record for digs in a five-game match (30). She racked-up a career-high 11 assists vs. Nevada-Reno on Fri., Sept. 8, 2000. Snow-Richards recorded a triple-double with 12 kills, 11 assists and 14 digs on Sept. 8 vs. Nevada-Reno. She had a season-high 14 kills on Sat., Oct. 28 against the Wyoming Cowgirls. Snow-Richards has posted double-figure kills seven times and double-figure digs eight times in 22 matches. Senior setter Lucie Turkov? recorded a career-high 15 kills vs. SDSU on Sat., Oct. 21. She posted her first triple-double (10 kills, 10 digs, 32 assists) of her career on Fri., Oct. 6, vs. BYU. Turkov? posted a career-high 81 assists vs. Stanford on Tues., Sept. 5, 2000. Turkov? has recorded six double-doubles to date this season. She has posted double-figure kills two times, double-figure digs eight times and double-figure assists in all 22 matches. Adrianne Bradley-Drake tied a career-high with five total blocks vs. Stanford University on Tues., Sept. 5, 2000. On Sat., Sept. 9, 2000, Bradley-Drake broke Snow-Richards MWC record for digs in a five-game match with 31 digs. She also tied a career-high for assists with five. Bradley-Drake recorded double-figures in digs in seven out of 22 matches, including one double-double on Sept. 5, vs. Stanford. She also recorded double-figure kills one time this season. Lenka Urbanov? recorded a career-high .353 hitting percentage against Eastern Michigan on Fri., Sept. 1, 2000. On Sat., Oct. 21, Urbanov? posted a career-high 21 kills and 21 digs against SDSU. She has recorded six double-doubles this season. Urbanov? has posted double-figure kills eight times and double-figure digs six times in 22 matches. Against San Diego State on Sat., Oct. 21, 2000, Katrena Ellett totaled a career high 16 digs. On Sat., Sept. 2, 2000, Ellett posted a career-high three service aces against UMass. Against Stanford University on Tues., Sept. 5, 2000, Ellett racked-up a career-high 24 kills and three assists. She recorded two double-doubles so far this season. Ellett has posted double-figure kills five times and double-figure digs four times in 21 matches. In 11 out of 20 matches, junior Alisa Geddes has recorded double figures in digs and posted four double-doubles to date. She has recorded double-figure kills four times in 19 matches. Junior McKelle Stilson has posted double-figure kills in 11 out of 20 matches.
Utah set a school record for team assists (95), a school record for team kills (99) and a school record for team attempts (265) in the match-up with San Diego State on Sat., Oct. 21, 2000.
MWC STATISTICAL LEADERS: Utah as a team leads the conference in digs, averaging 15.96 DPG and are third with a .727 conference win-loss percentage. The Utes are currently third in kills (16.02 KPG) and assists (14.21 APG), and are fourth in hitting percentage (.215) and fifth in blocks (2.46 BPG). Utah is sixth in service aces (1.38 SAPG). Individually, Utah ranks among some of the best in the conference. Senior co-captain, Lucie Turkov? is currently fourth in the MWC in assists, averaging 11.75 assists per game. Junior Alisa Geddes is fourth in the MWC in digs, averaging 2.81 digs per game. Freshman Kim Turner is seventh in the MWC in blocks per game (1.05) and 10th with a .273 hitting percentage. Junior Lenka Urbanov? is ninth in the MWC in digs, averaging 2.54 dpg. Junior McKelle Stilson is eighth in the MWC with a .287 hitting percentage.
CAREER LIST: Three current Utah players have made their way up the Utah career-leader lists. Senior Brooke Barton is currently fourth in the career-leader list with 120 service aces. Barton is 8th in games played (418) and ninth in digs (880). Senior setter Lucie Turkov? is currently sixth in the career-leader list with 1,390 assists. She is ninth in games played (405). Junior middle blocker McKelle Stilson is currently third in kills (918), in block assists (306) and is fourth in total blocks (336).
HEAD COACH BETH LAUNIERE: In her 11th season, Beth Launiere has not only resurrected the Ute volleyball program and turned it into a consistent winner, she has also guided Utah to unprecedented success on the national level.
Under Launiere's leadership, Utah made its second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance in 1999, and for a second year advanced to the second round. It is the crowning achievement of Launiere's ten-year tenure at Utah, in which she has posted a 197-143 (.579) career record.
The winningest coach in school history, Launiere has overseen a significant transformation since her arrival in 1990. In the last six years alone, Launiere has guided the Utes to five 20-win seasons and Utah's third-place finish in the MWC in 1999 marked its seventh consecutive upper division finish in conference play.
Launiere worked hard in 1999 to maintain the level of play and expectations of the previous season. With a 22-10 overall record, Utah posted its fourth consecutive, and fifth overall, 20-win season. The Utes' .688 overall winning percentage equaled the third-best in school history. Utah also equaled the third-best conference winning percentage in school history last season (10-4, .714).
Utah received 31 votes to rank 29th in the final USA Today/AVCA Top 25 Poll. Utah's final RPI ranking, produced by the NCAA, was 22nd.
LAUNIERE APPROACHING 200 WINS: Utah's winningest coach in school history, Beth Launiere is quickly approaching her 200th career win. Launiere needs just three more wins and with five matches left and the Mountain West Conference Tournament to follow, she could very well hit the mark.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE: The Utes practice from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. in East 101 at the HPER building on the University of Utah campus. All practice times and dates are tentative and subject to change. For regular scheduled practice times, please contact Julie Lapomarda. Utah Women's Volleyball practices are closed to the media. To set up interviews before or after practice with Head Coach Beth Launiere or Ute players, please contact Julie Lapomarda women's volleyball SID at: (801) 581-3771 (office), or at (801) 468-0571 (home).
POST-MATCH SERVICES/INTERVIEWS: Head Coach Beth Launiere and Utah players will be available for interviews outside the Utah lockerroom following a 10 minute cooling off period. A member of the Utah sports information staff will gather interview requests immediately following the match. Box scores will be provided and faxed upon request.
WEEKLY INTERVIEWS: Members of the media who wish to interview Head Coach Beth Launiere should contact her at her office (801-581-6843) between 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. weekdays. Interviews with the athletes should be arranged through Julie Lapomarda (801-581-3771).
THE MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE: The newest conference in the nation has quickly emerged as one of the best. The Mountain West Conference, which officially commenced operation on July 1, 1999, sent three volleyball teams to NCAA post-season play in its first year. League champion BYU made it to the NCAA Sweet 16, Colorado State made it to the NCAA Regional semifinals and Utah advanced to the NCAA second round.
MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE MEDIA INFORMATION: Ron Christian, Assistant Director of Communications, handles all information requests related to volleyball at the Mountain West Conference office. The MWC address is P.O. Box 35760, Colorado Springs, CO 80935-3567. The MWC telephone number is (719) 533-9500. The fax number is (719) 533-9512.
MWC PRE-SEASON POLL: In a survey of the Mountain West Conference coaches before the season, Utah, which received votes in the preseason national poll, was picked to finish third. Brigham Young and Colorado State each received four first-place votes to headline the 2000 Mountain West Conference Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll.
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