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7:00 PM
Volleyball
at Arizona
Friday, August 24
Salt Lake City, UT
7:00 PM
University of Utah
vs
UC Irvine
Photo by: Steve C. Wilson
No. 19 Utah Hosts Utah Volleyball Classic to Begin 2018 Season
8/22/2018 4:35 PM | Volleyball
Utah Volleyball Classic
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Match 1: #19 Utah (0-0) vs. UC Irvine (0-0)
Friday, Aug. 24 | 7 p.m. MT
Salt Lake City, Utah | Huntsman Center
Utah Live Stream
Live Stats: Utahutes.com
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Match 2: #19 Utah (0-0) vs. Saint Mary's (0-0)
Saturday, Aug. 25 | 12 p.m. MT
Salt Lake City, Utah | Huntsman Center
Utah Live Stream
Live Stats: Utahutes.com
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Match 3: #19 Utah (0-0) vs. Denver (0-0)
Friday, Aug. 24 | 7 p.m. MT
Salt Lake City, Utah | Huntsman Center
Utah Live Stream
Live Stats: Utahutes.com
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FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
1. Utah will open the 2018 season ranked No. 19 in the AVCA preseason poll. It is the second season in a row and seventh time in program history the Utes have been ranked in the preseason poll.
2. The Utes return seven letterwinners from a season ago with four of those being starters from the 2017 season.
3. Berkeley Oblad was named to the Pac-12 Preseason All-Conference Team after totaling 300 kills and 143 blocks a season ago. She earned AVCA All-America honorable mention honors, AVCA All-Region honors and Pac-12 All-Conference honorable mention honors for her great junior season.
4. Utah has added five newcomers to the team with three freshman and two transfers. The three freshman are Saige Ka'aha'aina-Torres, Kennedi Evans and Megan Yett. The two transfers are Taylor Laugero (Santa Clara) and Kinga Windisch (Coastal Carolina).
5. The 2017 was one to remember for the Utes as they tallied a 24-10 overall record, finished fourth in the Pac-12 with a record of 13-7, and earned the program's 14th trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2017. The Utes would go onto win the Salt Lake Sub-Regional and advance to the Sweet 16 for the third time in school history. Utah has tallied 20-plus wins in 17 of head coach Beth Launiere's 28 seasons.
PROMOTIONS
On Friday against UC Irvine, it will be Super Hero Night. Along with some giveaways listed below, the Utes will be celebrating Swoops birthday!
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FIRST SERVE
The Utes are opening up their season by hosting the 2018 Utah Volleyball Classic.Â
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No. 19 Utah opens up its season on Friday, August 24 at 7 p.m. against UC Irvine in the Huntsman Center. Then will play two matches on Saturday against Saint Mary's at noon and then finish the tournament against Denver at 7 p.m.
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UC Irvine and Denver both won at least 23 matches during the 2018 season, and Denver made the NCAA Tournament after winning the Summit League.
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SERIES HISTORY
Utah heads into the weekend with a combined 7-4 against the three teams.
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The Utes are undefeated against Saint Mary's and Denver and are 2-4 against UC Irvine, but have only played Irvine once in the past 12 years.
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The most recent match against UC Irvine was a 3-1 win for Utah in 2013.
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COVERING THE UTES
All six matches this weekend will be televised HERE.
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The three Utah matches will be called by Mike Lageschulte.
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Live stats will be provided at www.UtahUtes.com.
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SWEET 16
The Utes made their third Sweet 16 appearance in program history after winning the Salt Lake City regional.
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Utah earned an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament, earning the No. 11 overall seed – the program's all-time highest seeing in the tournament. Utah won the Salt Lake City Sub-Regional, defeating Cleveland State and Purdue, and then advanced to its third-ever Sweet 16 appearance. Utah fell in the first round of the Stanford Regional, falling in five sets to No. 2-ranked and No. 6-seeded Texas.
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It was first Sweet 16 appearance since the 2008 season.
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TOP-25 POLL TALK
Utah begins the season ranked No. 19 in the country in the AVCA Preseason Poll.
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This marks the second season in a row and seventh time in program history that the Utes have been ranked in the preseason.
Â
The Utes are one of seven Pac-12 programs in the preseason poll, which includes Stanford (1), USC (10), UCLA (11), Colorado (15), Washington (17) and Oregon (18). In all, Utah is scheduled to play eight teams in the preseason poll.
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Utah finished the 2017 season ranked No. 11 in the final 2017 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll.
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The No. 11 ranking marked the program's best finish in the AVCA poll, surpassing the previous No. 15 ranking it recorded back in both 2001 and 2006. The No. 11 ranking is Utah's highest ranking in the poll overall, since coming in at No. 11 back on Nov. 27, 2006.
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Utah earned an AVCA Top-25 ranking every week in 2017, which began with a No. 23 preseason ranking. Following a No. 22 ranking in the first weekly poll of the season, Utah would rank no lower than No. 18 in the poll. The Utes ranked as high as No. 12 in the poll back on Oct. 16 and Oct. 23.
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Utah was one of five Pac-12 Conference teams ranked in the final AVCA poll (Stanford, 4; USC, 7; UCLA, 14; Washington, 15; and Colorado, 19).
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UTAH PICKED TO FINISH EIGHTH IN PAC-12
Utah was voted to finish in eighth in the Pac-12 this season. Stanford received 11 first-place votes and was picked to defend its Pac-12 Championship. USC came in right behind Stanford to finish second with one first-place vote.
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Senior middle blocker Berkeley Oblad was voted on the Pac-12 Preseason All-Conference Team. In 2017, she totaled 300 kills and 142 blocks. Oblad earned honorable mention AVCA All-American honors, AVCA All-Region honors and honorable mention Pac-12 All-Conference honors.
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UTES RETURN SEVEN
Utah returns seven players from a season ago including four starters plus the libero.
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Along with Pac-12 Preseason All-Conference member Oblad, the Utes also return junior setter Bailey Choy and sophomore outside hitters Dani Drews and Kenzie Koerber. Libero Brianna Doehrmann led the team in digs in 2017 with 398.
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The Utes did lose three seniors from a season ago, including All-Americans Adora Anae and Tawnee Luafalemana as well as starting outside hitter and Pac-12 All-Conference member Carly Trueman.
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PREP VOLLEYBALL RANKS RECRUITING CLASS 30th IN THE NATION
Utah brought in five newcomers this season with three freshmen and two transfers.
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The three freshmen are middle blocker Kennedi Evans, outside hitter Megan Yett and setter Saige Ka'aha'aina-Torres.
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Evans and Yett were both ranked as top-50 players in the country and Ka'aha'aina-Torres was named an Under Armour Second Team All-American and named Star Adviser Hawaii Player of the Year in 2017.
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It was the second season in a row that Utah had a top-30 recruiting class in the country.
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The two transfers on the team are defensive specialist Taylor Laugero from Santa Clara and outside hitter Kinga Windisch from Coastal Carolina.
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A LOOK AHEAD
Utah will hit the road for the first time this season heading to the Montana Volleyball Invitational. The Utes will take on Montana and Gonzaga on Friday, August 31 and Iowa State on Saturday, September 1.
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Match 1: #19 Utah (0-0) vs. UC Irvine (0-0)
Friday, Aug. 24 | 7 p.m. MT
Salt Lake City, Utah | Huntsman Center
Utah Live Stream
Live Stats: Utahutes.com
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Match 2: #19 Utah (0-0) vs. Saint Mary's (0-0)
Saturday, Aug. 25 | 12 p.m. MT
Salt Lake City, Utah | Huntsman Center
Utah Live Stream
Live Stats: Utahutes.com
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Match 3: #19 Utah (0-0) vs. Denver (0-0)
Friday, Aug. 24 | 7 p.m. MT
Salt Lake City, Utah | Huntsman Center
Utah Live Stream
Live Stats: Utahutes.com
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FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
1. Utah will open the 2018 season ranked No. 19 in the AVCA preseason poll. It is the second season in a row and seventh time in program history the Utes have been ranked in the preseason poll.
2. The Utes return seven letterwinners from a season ago with four of those being starters from the 2017 season.
3. Berkeley Oblad was named to the Pac-12 Preseason All-Conference Team after totaling 300 kills and 143 blocks a season ago. She earned AVCA All-America honorable mention honors, AVCA All-Region honors and Pac-12 All-Conference honorable mention honors for her great junior season.
4. Utah has added five newcomers to the team with three freshman and two transfers. The three freshman are Saige Ka'aha'aina-Torres, Kennedi Evans and Megan Yett. The two transfers are Taylor Laugero (Santa Clara) and Kinga Windisch (Coastal Carolina).
5. The 2017 was one to remember for the Utes as they tallied a 24-10 overall record, finished fourth in the Pac-12 with a record of 13-7, and earned the program's 14th trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2017. The Utes would go onto win the Salt Lake Sub-Regional and advance to the Sweet 16 for the third time in school history. Utah has tallied 20-plus wins in 17 of head coach Beth Launiere's 28 seasons.
PROMOTIONS
On Friday against UC Irvine, it will be Super Hero Night. Along with some giveaways listed below, the Utes will be celebrating Swoops birthday!
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Giveaways:
First 100 Fans – Receive a cupcake to celebrate Swoops Birthday
First 100 Kids – Receive a superhero mask
First 100 Kids – Receive a superhero bracelet
First 150 Students – Incredibles Themed 'Block U' Tank Top
First 150 Students – Receive FREE Pizza
First 50 Female Students – Receive a 'Fridays Are For The Girls' Tumbler
Also, in between the second and third sets, students will serve to win a TV. If the student can serve the ball over the net into a ball basket, they will win a brand new TV.
FIRST SERVE
The Utes are opening up their season by hosting the 2018 Utah Volleyball Classic.Â
Â
No. 19 Utah opens up its season on Friday, August 24 at 7 p.m. against UC Irvine in the Huntsman Center. Then will play two matches on Saturday against Saint Mary's at noon and then finish the tournament against Denver at 7 p.m.
Â
UC Irvine and Denver both won at least 23 matches during the 2018 season, and Denver made the NCAA Tournament after winning the Summit League.
Â
SERIES HISTORY
Utah heads into the weekend with a combined 7-4 against the three teams.
Â
The Utes are undefeated against Saint Mary's and Denver and are 2-4 against UC Irvine, but have only played Irvine once in the past 12 years.
Â
The most recent match against UC Irvine was a 3-1 win for Utah in 2013.
Â
COVERING THE UTES
All six matches this weekend will be televised HERE.
Â
The three Utah matches will be called by Mike Lageschulte.
Â
Live stats will be provided at www.UtahUtes.com.
Â
SWEET 16
The Utes made their third Sweet 16 appearance in program history after winning the Salt Lake City regional.
Â
Utah earned an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament, earning the No. 11 overall seed – the program's all-time highest seeing in the tournament. Utah won the Salt Lake City Sub-Regional, defeating Cleveland State and Purdue, and then advanced to its third-ever Sweet 16 appearance. Utah fell in the first round of the Stanford Regional, falling in five sets to No. 2-ranked and No. 6-seeded Texas.
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It was first Sweet 16 appearance since the 2008 season.
Â
TOP-25 POLL TALK
Utah begins the season ranked No. 19 in the country in the AVCA Preseason Poll.
Â
This marks the second season in a row and seventh time in program history that the Utes have been ranked in the preseason.
Â
The Utes are one of seven Pac-12 programs in the preseason poll, which includes Stanford (1), USC (10), UCLA (11), Colorado (15), Washington (17) and Oregon (18). In all, Utah is scheduled to play eight teams in the preseason poll.
Â
Utah finished the 2017 season ranked No. 11 in the final 2017 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll.
Â
The No. 11 ranking marked the program's best finish in the AVCA poll, surpassing the previous No. 15 ranking it recorded back in both 2001 and 2006. The No. 11 ranking is Utah's highest ranking in the poll overall, since coming in at No. 11 back on Nov. 27, 2006.
Â
Utah earned an AVCA Top-25 ranking every week in 2017, which began with a No. 23 preseason ranking. Following a No. 22 ranking in the first weekly poll of the season, Utah would rank no lower than No. 18 in the poll. The Utes ranked as high as No. 12 in the poll back on Oct. 16 and Oct. 23.
Â
Utah was one of five Pac-12 Conference teams ranked in the final AVCA poll (Stanford, 4; USC, 7; UCLA, 14; Washington, 15; and Colorado, 19).
Â
UTAH PICKED TO FINISH EIGHTH IN PAC-12
Utah was voted to finish in eighth in the Pac-12 this season. Stanford received 11 first-place votes and was picked to defend its Pac-12 Championship. USC came in right behind Stanford to finish second with one first-place vote.
Â
Senior middle blocker Berkeley Oblad was voted on the Pac-12 Preseason All-Conference Team. In 2017, she totaled 300 kills and 142 blocks. Oblad earned honorable mention AVCA All-American honors, AVCA All-Region honors and honorable mention Pac-12 All-Conference honors.
Â
UTES RETURN SEVEN
Utah returns seven players from a season ago including four starters plus the libero.
Â
Along with Pac-12 Preseason All-Conference member Oblad, the Utes also return junior setter Bailey Choy and sophomore outside hitters Dani Drews and Kenzie Koerber. Libero Brianna Doehrmann led the team in digs in 2017 with 398.
Â
The Utes did lose three seniors from a season ago, including All-Americans Adora Anae and Tawnee Luafalemana as well as starting outside hitter and Pac-12 All-Conference member Carly Trueman.
Â
PREP VOLLEYBALL RANKS RECRUITING CLASS 30th IN THE NATION
Utah brought in five newcomers this season with three freshmen and two transfers.
Â
The three freshmen are middle blocker Kennedi Evans, outside hitter Megan Yett and setter Saige Ka'aha'aina-Torres.
Â
Evans and Yett were both ranked as top-50 players in the country and Ka'aha'aina-Torres was named an Under Armour Second Team All-American and named Star Adviser Hawaii Player of the Year in 2017.
Â
It was the second season in a row that Utah had a top-30 recruiting class in the country.
Â
The two transfers on the team are defensive specialist Taylor Laugero from Santa Clara and outside hitter Kinga Windisch from Coastal Carolina.
Â
A LOOK AHEAD
Utah will hit the road for the first time this season heading to the Montana Volleyball Invitational. The Utes will take on Montana and Gonzaga on Friday, August 31 and Iowa State on Saturday, September 1.
Players Mentioned
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