Saturday, August 15
Salt Lake City, UT
3:00 P.M.
University of Utah
vs
Weber State (Exhibition)
Photo by: University of Utah Athletics
Utah Volleyball Shows Promise Against Weber State
8/15/2026 6:46 PM | Volleyball
Utes took three of four sets in exhibition match with the Wildcats
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Volleyball showed promise in its exhibition match against Weber State on Saturday afternoon, taking three of four sets (25-16, 25-19, 20-25, 25-17) to kick off 2026 season.
"A lot of the system stuff that we wanted to see showed up," first-year head coach Alyssa D'Errico said. "We wanted to be really aggressive from the service line—I think we had eight or nine aces in four sets. We were trying to get to 14 kills per set and ended up at 15 kills per set. I think our digs percentage and their opponent kill percentage were all good. Lots of good stuff system-wise that we were looking to show up, especially in our first scrimmage."
The Utes' efforts against the Wildcats were highlighted by strong (mostly) veteran leadership from setter Isabelle Marco, outside hitters Devyn Wiest, Levani Falatea, and Kamryn Gibadlo while a few newcomers also shined in setter Isabella Mogridge, opposite hitter Loryn Helgesen, and libero Sierra Grizzle.
"I thought both of our setters did a really good job distributing the offense," D'Errico said. "I thought a lot of our pins did a really good job—Devyn, Vani, Loryn and Gibby all had good numbers. Really balanced offensively, which is a product of our passing and defense keeping us in system, and our setters doing a good job distributing the ball."
On a more emotional note, Utah welcomed back four players from injury in Wiest, Ashley West, Olga Musial, and freshman Suttyn Harris with each providing memorable moments in their return to the court.
"I was so stoked for them to be on the floor," D'Errico said. "Suttyn was coming off an injury as a new player. After her first kill she was a little teary-eyed on the court celebrating. Olga, same thing—I am so excited for her to be back. Ashley, I think has done an unbelievable job leading the group and we are happy to have her back on the court as well."
Utah's Ultimate Ute, Briar Rose was also on hand, returning for her second season with the Utes and displaying tremendous growth in her role that coach D'Errico was pleased with.
"Briar Rose was so excited to be here," D'Errico said. "She had her new team gear on, and threw the ball out during intros. I think we are going to have her do a first serve later in the season at some point. I am super excited she is back with us again this fall."
Utah's die-hard fans brought the energy to the Huntsman Center and D'Errico hopes it is just the start of great things to come in the budding 2026 season.
"Thank you," D'Errico said to the fans in attendance. "I think my goal would be every time they come back, if they could bring a friend or two with so we can keep growing attendance through the season would be amazing. This team is going to be fun to watch, and I think the fans are going to enjoy getting a chance to watch them compete. We want to continue to grow from game to game with more fan engagement, and more people here, but for an exhibition it was awesome to have this many people here."
Up next, Utah Volleyball will hit the road for one more exhibition match against the Oregon Ducks in Eugene on Friday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. MT where D'Errico has a few things she'd like to see improved before starting the preseason schedule in Orem, Utah, for the Utah Valley Tournament.
"I think the biggest goal for us is to honestly add physicality with our shot selection from our attackers," D'Errico said. "I thought Weber did a really good job lining us up blocking-wise today. I think we have to get better at seeing the block and playing off the block while covering behind it so we have our attackers' back. I don't know that we needed to have that many attack errors, but it was because of them blocking the ball, and us not moving it around as attackers."
Fans can check out the full 2026 slate here.
Single game and season tickets for Utah Volleyball's 2026 season are available for purchase.
FOLLOW THE UTES
For an inside look at the Utah Volleyball program, fans can follow the Utes on social media (X: @UtahVolleyball | Instagram: @utahvolleyball).
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL MOBILE APP OF THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH TODAY – UTAH 360
"A lot of the system stuff that we wanted to see showed up," first-year head coach Alyssa D'Errico said. "We wanted to be really aggressive from the service line—I think we had eight or nine aces in four sets. We were trying to get to 14 kills per set and ended up at 15 kills per set. I think our digs percentage and their opponent kill percentage were all good. Lots of good stuff system-wise that we were looking to show up, especially in our first scrimmage."
It felt good to be back??
— Utah Volleyball (@UtahVolleyball) August 15, 2026
Can't wait to bring everyone back for Oregon State on Aug. 30 ????#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/uCID0R2WoN
The Utes' efforts against the Wildcats were highlighted by strong (mostly) veteran leadership from setter Isabelle Marco, outside hitters Devyn Wiest, Levani Falatea, and Kamryn Gibadlo while a few newcomers also shined in setter Isabella Mogridge, opposite hitter Loryn Helgesen, and libero Sierra Grizzle.
"I thought both of our setters did a really good job distributing the offense," D'Errico said. "I thought a lot of our pins did a really good job—Devyn, Vani, Loryn and Gibby all had good numbers. Really balanced offensively, which is a product of our passing and defense keeping us in system, and our setters doing a good job distributing the ball."
On a more emotional note, Utah welcomed back four players from injury in Wiest, Ashley West, Olga Musial, and freshman Suttyn Harris with each providing memorable moments in their return to the court.
"I was so stoked for them to be on the floor," D'Errico said. "Suttyn was coming off an injury as a new player. After her first kill she was a little teary-eyed on the court celebrating. Olga, same thing—I am so excited for her to be back. Ashley, I think has done an unbelievable job leading the group and we are happy to have her back on the court as well."
Freshman's first kill at the Huntsman Center ??
— Utah Volleyball (@UtahVolleyball) August 15, 2026
Welcome to Utah, Suttyn!#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/Yr8ye9rfGz
Utah's Ultimate Ute, Briar Rose was also on hand, returning for her second season with the Utes and displaying tremendous growth in her role that coach D'Errico was pleased with.
"Briar Rose was so excited to be here," D'Errico said. "She had her new team gear on, and threw the ball out during intros. I think we are going to have her do a first serve later in the season at some point. I am super excited she is back with us again this fall."
Utah's die-hard fans brought the energy to the Huntsman Center and D'Errico hopes it is just the start of great things to come in the budding 2026 season.
"Thank you," D'Errico said to the fans in attendance. "I think my goal would be every time they come back, if they could bring a friend or two with so we can keep growing attendance through the season would be amazing. This team is going to be fun to watch, and I think the fans are going to enjoy getting a chance to watch them compete. We want to continue to grow from game to game with more fan engagement, and more people here, but for an exhibition it was awesome to have this many people here."
The vibes at the Huntsman are ??????#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/EJrEaUX2bF
— Utah Volleyball (@UtahVolleyball) August 15, 2026
Up next, Utah Volleyball will hit the road for one more exhibition match against the Oregon Ducks in Eugene on Friday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. MT where D'Errico has a few things she'd like to see improved before starting the preseason schedule in Orem, Utah, for the Utah Valley Tournament.
"I think the biggest goal for us is to honestly add physicality with our shot selection from our attackers," D'Errico said. "I thought Weber did a really good job lining us up blocking-wise today. I think we have to get better at seeing the block and playing off the block while covering behind it so we have our attackers' back. I don't know that we needed to have that many attack errors, but it was because of them blocking the ball, and us not moving it around as attackers."
Fans can check out the full 2026 slate here.
Single game and season tickets for Utah Volleyball's 2026 season are available for purchase.
FOLLOW THE UTES
For an inside look at the Utah Volleyball program, fans can follow the Utes on social media (X: @UtahVolleyball | Instagram: @utahvolleyball).
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL MOBILE APP OF THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH TODAY – UTAH 360
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