MATCH WEEK
Utah Volleyball returns to the Jon M. Huntsman Center this weekend hosting former Pac-12 foe the California Golden Bears and the nationally ranked #8 Purdue Boilermakers. The Utes host California on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. MT (Watch: ESPN+). Then, Utah will prepare for a nationally ranked match-up, taking on #8 Purdue on Friday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m. MT (Watch: ESPN+). Catch the Utes in action on ESPN+ with Krista Blunk and Amy Gant on the call.
QUICK HITS
• Head Coach Beth Launiere enters her 35th season at the helm of the program. Utah Volleyball’s winningest head coach heads into the fall season with a 652-419 career record.
• Utah opened the season with the annual Utah Classic, securing three wins to start the season, defeating UTEP (3-0), Utah State (3-1) and Green Bay (3-0).
• Kamryn Gibadlo earned All-Classic MVP honors, putting down 36 kills throughout the three matches of the opening weekend. Gibadlo posted a .380 hitting percentage, averaging 3.60 kills per set, adding five aces.
• Vanessa Ramirez, Emrie Satuala and Rianne Vos were also named to the All-Classic team for the Utes. Ramirez earned Libero MVP honors, averaging 3.13 digs per set and finishing with four aces. Satuala and Vos had career-high nights against Utah State, as Vos put down a career-high kills (14), and Satuala was a force at the net posting 11 blocks.
• Utah’s last top 25 home win was a 3-0 sweep against #24 USC (10/28/22).
• Utah returns 13 letterwinners from a year ago, highlighted by the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team honoree in Kamryn Gibadlo and Big 12 Preseason Team member, Lauren Jardine.
• The Utes welcome freshmen Levani Key-Powell and Isabelle Marco, along with transfers Claranne Fechter and Grace Moss.
• Utah is set to play three NCAA Tournament teams from the 2023 season.
• This season, Utah will meet six new opponents including Loyola University, Northeastern, UAlbany, Coppin State, Baylor and West Virginia.
SCOUTING CALIFORNIA
Cal opened its season with three wins on the road at the Rose City Showdown, hosted by Portland State. The Golden Bears defeated Nevada (3-0), San Francisco (3-2) and Portland State (3-0), under newly appointed head coach Jen Malcom. Leading the Cal offense through…
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