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Utah Volleyball Wraps Up Regular-Season Play This Week
11/21/2000 12:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 21, 2000
Salt Lake City - COMING UP: 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).
A QUICK LOOK AT UTAH: The No. 18 ranked University of Utah made it as far as the semifinals of the McLeodUSA MWC Tournament. On Thurs., Nov. 16, Utah defeated UNLV, 3-1 (15-9, 15-3, 5-15, 15-9) in the quarterfinal round. On Fri., Nov. 17, Utah lost to in-state rival Brigham Young, 3-1 (14-16, 15-8, 8-15, 8-15) in the semifinal match of the McLeodUSA MWC Tournament. Utah is now 20-7 overall, 10-4 in MWC play.
Senior Lucie Turkov? and freshman Kim Turner were named to the 2000 McLeodUSA All-MWC team. Turner was named the 2000 Freshman of the Year and was selected to the 2000 McLeodUSA MWC All-Tourney team, while junior Alisa Geddes was named tournament defensive specialist.
The University of Utah women's volleyball team continues to stay in the Top 25 USA Today/AVCA poll. The Utes moved up to No. 18 in this week's poll. Utah received 406 votes in the Nov. 20 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 Weber State and Denver 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 WEBER STATE: The Weber State volleyball team is 10-16 overall, 6-10 in the Big Sky Conference. The Wildcats haven't played a match since Nov. 9 and Nov. 11. They lost to Cal State Northridge, 3-1 (15-7, 14-16, 15-9, 15-7) on Nov. 9 on the road and took Northern Arizona to five games, but lost (9-15, 15-6, 14-16, 15-10, 19-17) on the road on Nov. 11.
Stephanie Metcalf leads the Wildcats, averaging 3.99 kills per game for a .242 hitting percentage and 2.87 digs per game. Stephanie Kropushek totals 2.68 kills per game and 2.66 digs per game, while teammate Becky Montague leads the team in blocks per game (1.11). Montague also adds 2.46 kills per game and 1.11 digs per game. Setter Carla Miali posts 13.54 assists per game, 1.12 kills per game and 2.75 digs per game. As a team, Weber State averages 17.23 kills per game for a .227 hitting percentage, 15.84 assists per game, 1.29 servie aces per game, 16.88 digs per game and 2.21 blocks per game.
Al Givens enters his seventh year at the helm of the Wildcat volleyball program. He has accumulated an 82-121 record at Weber State and a 234-258 career-record in 12 years.
SCOUTING DENVER: The University of Denver volleyball team is 19-13 overall, 12-4 in the Sun Belt Conference. The Pioneers lost in the opening round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament to Middle Tennessee in five games, 11-15, 15-12, 15-11, 13-15, 16-14, on Fri., Nov. 17 in New Orleans, La.
Kellie Savage leads the Pios, averaging 3.85 kills per game and 2.18 digs per game. Sarah Kaye totals 3.17 kills per game and 2.26 digs per game. Teammate Clarice Golesh leads the team in digs (2.52) in assists (10.85) and adds 1.40 kills per game. Jenn Karas totals 2.35 digs per game and Laurie Young leads the team in blocks per game (1.52). As a team the Pioneers average 14.25 kills per game for a .201 hitting percentage. Denver totals 12.77 assists per game, 1.48 service aces per game, 14.95 digs per game and 2.93 blocks per game.
Beth Kuwata enters her fifth year at the helm of the Pioneer volleyball program. She has accumulated a 58-63 record at Denver and an 85-96 career-record in six years.
SERIES SHORTS: Utah leads the all-time series with Weber State, 38-16. In their last meeting on Sept. 7, 1999, Utah defeated Weber State, 3-1, (15-9, 8-15, 15-6, 15-12) at Crimson Court. Utah is 20-6 at home, 15-6 away and 3-4 at a neutral site vs. the Wildcats. Utah leads the all-time series with Denver, 1-0. In their last meeting on Oct. 1, 1983, Utah defeated the University of Denver, 2-0, in Greeley, Colo. Utah is 0-0 at home, 0-0 away and 1-0 at a neutral site vs. the Pioneers.
QUOTING LAUNIERE: On the upcoming Weber State and Denver matches: "Playing these two matches is a bit different that our scheduling in the past. I talked with our players about being well prepared for these two matches. I can be a good opportunity for us to get two more wins under our belts before the NCAA Tournament and it can also help us stay sharp and focused for the NCAAs. That is our goal and at this time of the year, anything can happen and we need to be ready for both teams this week."
INJURY REPORT: Junior outside hitter Alisa Geddes went down with an ankle sprain Fri., Oct. 21, in the match-up with UNLV. Geddes will most likely play in the matches against Weber State and the University of Denver, but the decision is still pending. She could possibly play back row for the Utes. Middle blocker McKelle Stilson has seen limited practice time due to the knee injury, but will most likely play in both matches this week.
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 moved up to No. 18 in this week's poll. Utah received 406 votes in the Nov. 20 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 previously, received 417 points and boasted an 8-1 overall record entering the poll.
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 then-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. The Utes lost to then-No. 3 ranked Colorado State in three games, 15-7, 15-2, 15-11 on Fri., Oct. 27 in Salt Lake City. On Fri., Nov. 3, Utah lost 3-1, 15-5, 12-15, 15-13, 16-14 to the No. 14 ranked BYU Cougars in Provo, Utah. At the McLeodUSA MWC Tournament on Fri., Nov. 17, Utah lost a heartbreaker to in-state rival Brigham Young. The Utes fell to the Cougars in four games, 16-14, 8-15, 15-8, 15-8.
Utah is one of three MWC teams ranked in the polls. Other MWC teams ranked are: Colorado State (6th) and BYU (12th).
"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 will await the NCAA's release for the 2000 Division I Women's Volleyball Selection Show 64 team bracket announcement. It will take place on Sunday, November 26 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern / 5:00 p.m. Pacific.
BRIGHAM YOUNG RECAP: The University of Utah women's volleyball team lost to the Brigham Young Cougars in a semifinal match-up, 3-1 (14-16, 15-8, 8-15, 8-15) at the McLeodUSA Mountain West Conference Tournament in Fort Collins, Colo., on Fri., Nov. 17. BYU improved to 22-6 on the season, 12-2 in Mountain West Conference play.
Utah was led by Mountain West Freshman of the Year, Kim Turner. Turner tallied 15 kills, leading four players in double-figure kills. Jen Snow-Richards, Lenka Urbanova and McKelle Stilson totaled 12, 11 and 10 kills each, respectively. Urbanova led the Utes in digs with 20, which tied for second in a four-game tournament match. Setter Lucie Turkova also notched a double-double for the Utes with 45 assists and 12 digs. As a team Utah hit for .090 and added nine total team blocks.
BYU was led by Nina Puikkonen, who recorded her second triple-double of the season and third of her career with 24 kills, 13 blocks and 14 digs. Her 24 kills is a four-game Mountain West Tournament record and her 13 blocks tied the record she set on Thursday. Jackie Bundy also recorded a double-double with 11 kills and 10 digs in the win. The Cougars also set a tournament record for blocks with 24.5 team blocks, breaking the old record of 18, set by Colorado State last season in the semifinal match against Utah. BYU hit for .186 in the match.
"I was disappointed because it was a match of who could make the less errors and I would always expect my team to do that," said Head Coach Beth Launiere. "I felt like we didn't play with confidence, I think we did at times and physically we should be confident because we can match up with BYU. I think my players need to learn from that. We just talked about how to be a competitor on the court because obviously that is a big match. There is a lot riding on it and you've got to show up and be mentally strong. I hope this team can get better at that."
UNLV RECAP: The University of Utah women's volleyball team defeated the UNLV Rebels in four games, 15-9, 15-3, 5-15, 15-9 at the McLeodUSA Mountain West Conference Tournament in Fort Collins, Colo., on Thurs., Nov. 16. UNLV dropped to 6-19 on the season, 5-9 in Mountain West Conference play.
The Utes were led by Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year, Kim Turner, who tallied 20 kills in 30 attacks with just two errors for a .600 hitting percentage (MWC Tourney record). Lenka Urbanova also chipped in 10 kills and a team-high 11 digs in the win. Senior Jen Snow-Richards added nine kills and 10 digs, while setter Lucie Turkova had 47 assists and tied a match-high with six blocks. As a team Utah hit for .257 and racked up 13 total team blocks. The victory over UNLV gave Head Coach Beth Launiere her 200th career win.
The Rebels of UNLV were led by Amber Graham with 22 kills and 16 digs. Blair Wilkes and Michelle Johnson also had double-figures in kills with 15 and 12, respectively. Maria Julia Goes tallied 52 assists in the four-game loss. UNLV hit for .168 and added just three total team blocks.
"I thought UNLV played a very good match," said Head Coach Beth Launiere. "I thought we played a pretty good match, in fact, I thought we played very well in games one and two. We let them off the hook a little bit in the beginning of game three and that was our mistake They were a team I was worried about matching up against in the first round because they are a very athletic team and can do a lot of damage especially in a tournament like this. I think we did enough things that allowed us to pull out the win and I am very proud of the way our kids played."
UTAH VS. RANKED OPPONENTS: Utah is 3-6 (.333) 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. On Fri., Nov. 3, Utah lost 3-1, 15-5, 12-15, 15-13, 16-14 to the No. 14 ranked BYU Cougars in Provo, Utah. At the McLeodUSA MWC Tournament on Fri., Nov. 17, Utah lost a heartbreaker to in-state rival Brigham Young. The Utes fell to the Cougars in four games, 16-14, 8-15, 15-8, 15-8.
MWC ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS: Utah middle blocker Kim Turner took MWC Freshman of the Year honors. A native of Chandler, Ariz., Turner led the Utes with 236 kills and 91 blocks while playing in 82 of 91 games this season. She is currently eighth in the MWC in hitting percentage at .272. Utah was represented on the All-MWC team by senior Lucie Turkova (S) and freshman Kim Turner (MB).
Junior middle blocker Angela Knopf earned Mountain West Conference Volleyball Player of the Year honors. Colorado State head coach Tom Hilbert garnered MWC Coach of the Year accolades for the second straight year. Colorado State junior Allison Peckham was named MWC Setter of the Year and San Diego State junior Jessica Allen was the MWC Defensive Specialist award winner.
Four BYU players earned All-MWC honors: juniors Jackie Bundy (MB) and Nina Puikkonen (MB), sophomore Sunny Tonga (MB) and freshman Karina Puikkonen (S)
Colorado State senior Summer Jennings (MB), and CSU juniors Courtney Cox (OH) and Soraya Santos (MB) were also named All-MWC honorees.
San Diego State landed a pair of players on the All-MWC team in senior Amy Hallquist (OH) and sophomore Melissa Wright (S), while UNLV junior Amber Graham rounded out the 2000 All-MWC Volleyball Team, which is selected by the MWC coaches.
MWC TOURNEY HONORS: BYU's Nina Puikkonen was named MVP of the championship, while teammate Sunny Tonga was also named to the all-tournament team. For Colorado State, Knopf and Cox were named to the squad and Peckham was named Setter of the Tournament. Utah's Kim Turner and San Diego State's Aspen McPartland rounded out the team, while Utah's Alisa Geddes was named tournament defensive specialist.
2000 VERIZON ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT VIII TEAM: The 2000 Verizon Academic All-District VIII Women's Volleyball first, second and third teams, selected by CoSIDA, were announced Thursday and 21 female student-athlete's representing 15 different NCAA Division I institutions were honored.
Utah seniors Jen Snow-Richards and Lucie Turkova received third-team honors. Snow-Richards, a starting outside hitter, boasts a 3.67 cumulative GPA and averages 2.36 kills per game and 2.43 digs per game for the Utes. Turkova, an all-MWC selection as a setter also has a 3.67 cumulative GPA. She averages 1.47 kills per game, 11.85 assists per game and 2.12 digs per game.
The six first team members are now on the National Verizon Women's Volleyball Academic All-America ballot. First, second and third team national winners will be announced on Tues., Dec. 12, 2000. A total of 61 eligible student-athletes were nominated by 32 different schools on the District VIII ballot. Members of CoSIDA in the states of California, Hawaii, Alaska, British Columbia, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada and Utah were responsible for voting on the squad.
NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL ATTENDANCE: Utah ranks just out of the top 30 in the nation in home match attendance this week. 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 186th highest with a single-match attendance of 1,427. Utah's match-up with then-No. 3 ranked Colorado State ranks in as the 260th 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 271st highest with a single-match attendance of 1,072.
MWC Granted Automatic Qualification: Entering its second year in existence, the MWC was granted automatic qualification by the NCAA, meaning the champion of the postseason tournament will receive an automatic bid to the 64-team 2000 NCAA Volleyball Tournament.
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 four times in 27 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 nine times and double-figure digs 11 times in 27 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 eight double-doubles to date this season. She has posted double-figure kills two times, double-figure digs 10 times and double-figure assists in all 27 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 27 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 .600 hitting percentage against New Hampshire on Sat., Sept. 2, 2000. On Sat., Oct. 21, Urbanov? posted a career-high 21 kills and 21 digs against SDSU. She has recorded nine double-doubles this season. Urbanov? has posted double-figure kills 12 times and double-figure digs 10 times in 27 matches. On Fri., Nov. 3, 2000, Katrena Ellett posted a career-high four service aces against BYU. Against San Diego State on Sat., Oct. 21, 2000, Ellett totaled a career high 16 digs. Against Stanford University on Tues., Sept. 5, 2000, Ellett racked-up a career-high 24 kills and three assists. She recorded three double-doubles so far this season. Ellett has posted double-figure kills six times and double-figure digs six times in 26 matches. In 12 out of 25 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 25 matches. Junior McKelle Stilson has posted double-figure kills in 12 out of 25 matches.
Utah set a school record for team assists (94), 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 16.14 DPG and are third with a .741 win-loss percentage. The Utes are currently third in kills (16.08 KPG) and assists (14.23 APG), and are fourth in hitting percentage (.209) and fifth in blocks (2.46 BPG). Utah is fifth in service aces (1.42 SAPG). Individually, Utah ranks among some of the best in the conference. Senior co-captain, Lucie Turkov? is currently third in the MWC in assists, averaging 11.82 assists per game. Junior Alisa Geddes is fifth in the MWC in digs, averaging 2.69 digs per game. Junior McKelle Stilson is sixth in the MWC with a .280 hitting percentage. Freshman Kim Turner is fifth with a .284 hitting percentage and seventh in the MWC in blocks per game (1.13). Junior Lenka Urbanov? is ninth in the MWC in digs, averaging 2.64 dpg.
CAREER LIST: Three current Utah players have made their way up the Utah career-leader lists. Senior Brooke Barton is currently fourth on the career-leader list with 124 service aces. Barton is 4th in games played (437) and seventh in digs (918). Senior setter Lucie Turkov? is currently sixth in the career-leader list with 1,608 assists. She is 8th in games played (423). Junior middle blocker McKelle Stilson is currently third with a .280 hitting percentage. Stilson is third in block assists (316) and fourth in total blocks (348). She is 7th in kills (955) and 9th in attempts (2,129).
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 200-145 (.580) 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 six 20-win seasons and Utah's third-place finish in the MWC in 1999 and 2000 marked its eighth 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 NOTCHED 200 WINS: Utah's winningest coach in school history, Beth Launiere hit the mark at the McLeodUSA MWC Tournament in Fort Collins, Colo. Launiere notched her 200th career win on Thurs., Nov. 16 with a 3-1 (15-9, 15-3, 5-15, 15-9) win over UNLV.
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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