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The University of Utah Athletics
Utah Draws Denver in the First Round of NCAA Tourament
11/25/2018 4:12 PM | Volleyball
15th Appearance in Program History in NCAA Tournament
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah volleyball team will be heading to the Provo Regional to take on Denver in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday, November 30.
Utah is entering the NCAA Tournament after finishing the season 18-13 overall and 10-10 in Pac-12 play.
"It's very special whenever you make the NCAA Tournament," head coach Beth Launiere said. "I just told the team, there are about 280 teams that are home wishing they were playing in this tournament. You really have to be one of the best teams in the country to get in this tournament. Playing in the Pac-12, we play great teams all the time and sometimes we forget it takes a lot of hard work and is always special to make it to the NCAA Tournament."
The Utes played Denver earlier this year in the Utah Volleyball Classic and came out on top in five sets (23-25, 25-21, 25-20, 23-25, 16-14). Denver finished the season 27-2 with one of only its two losses coming to Utah.
"We had a battle with them the opening weekend so it's kind of ironic to play them in the NCAA tournament," Launiere said. "I remember they were a really good team and it was 16-14 in the fifth set. It was a really intense match. They have a number of seniors on their team and they have a very good program that is well coached."
The other two teams in the region are BYU and Stony Brook.
Utah is entering post-season play on a hot streak, winning its last three matches and five of its past six. The Utes finished in a tie for sixth in the Pac-12.
This is the Utes 15th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and the second time heading to Provo, Utah for a regional.
Utah is entering the NCAA Tournament after finishing the season 18-13 overall and 10-10 in Pac-12 play.
"It's very special whenever you make the NCAA Tournament," head coach Beth Launiere said. "I just told the team, there are about 280 teams that are home wishing they were playing in this tournament. You really have to be one of the best teams in the country to get in this tournament. Playing in the Pac-12, we play great teams all the time and sometimes we forget it takes a lot of hard work and is always special to make it to the NCAA Tournament."
The Utes played Denver earlier this year in the Utah Volleyball Classic and came out on top in five sets (23-25, 25-21, 25-20, 23-25, 16-14). Denver finished the season 27-2 with one of only its two losses coming to Utah.
"We had a battle with them the opening weekend so it's kind of ironic to play them in the NCAA tournament," Launiere said. "I remember they were a really good team and it was 16-14 in the fifth set. It was a really intense match. They have a number of seniors on their team and they have a very good program that is well coached."
The other two teams in the region are BYU and Stony Brook.
Utah is entering post-season play on a hot streak, winning its last three matches and five of its past six. The Utes finished in a tie for sixth in the Pac-12.
This is the Utes 15th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and the second time heading to Provo, Utah for a regional.
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