SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah volleyball team opened the season in style beating Arizona in a quick three sets in the Huntsman Center on Friday, January 22.
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Dani Drews led the team on offense with 15 kills hitting .313. She also chipped in with 12 digs.
Kenzie Koerber had eight kills and six digs.
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The Utes held Arizona to just a .029 hitting percentage on the night.
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"It's been fun with the excitement and anticipation of this week to get back on the court and play," head coach
Beth Launiere said. "It's been a different feeling than we've had for 13 months. I had a little nervous energy, and you just don't have those when you're hanging at home all the time. It was nice to get on the court and play."
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Utah wasted no time building a small lead in the first at 10-7. They built their lead up to as many as six points, but Arizona had a late rally in them. They tied the score up at 21 and then saved a couple set points, but the Utes stayed composed and took the opening set.
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The Utes kept the momentum going in the second set and never looked back. Their biggest lead was seven which came on a Koerber kill to win the set and put Utah up 2-0.
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Utah kept things rolling in the third set. At one point they won six of seven points to go up 20-11. Arizona didn't give up, but the Utes ran off four straight points to close out the match.
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Number 17 is still the libero for Utah, but this year freshman
Vanessa Ramirez is wearing it and she earned her first start and led the team with 13 digs.
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Saige Ka'aha'aina-Torres finished the match with 29 assists.
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Redshirt freshman
Naya Dong saw her first action in a Utah uniform and had one dig.
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Utah and Arizona will play one more time this weekend on Sunday, January 24. First serve will be at noon in the Huntsman Center.
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