Utah Secures Fourth Straight Win with Sweep of Cal

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Volleyball secured its fourth consecutive win to start the 2024 season, defeating former Pac-12 foe California, 3-0 (25-16, 25-23, 25-19). The Utes dominated nearly every statistical category on the evening, posting a .262 hitting percentage on the night while holding the Golden Bears to a .051 clip.
 
Utah jumped ahead early in the first set, taking a four-point advantage, 6-2, coming off a California attack error. After the Golden Bears battled back to tie the set at 10-10, Kamry Bailey provided a three-point service rally to put the Utes up, 14-10. With the two sides trading points, Utah started its next offensive run ignited by an Emrie Satuala kill. As Utah took an 18-14 lead, with Gibadlo back to serve, the Utes continued to add to their advantage, putting up three straight points, making it 21-14, before closing out the set.
 
The Utes were forced to make a comeback in the second set, finding their first lead midway through the set, 14-13. Trading blows with the Golden Bears, the Utes relied on an experienced front row to extend the margin, expanding on the mistakes of the Golden Bear offense and getting big kills from Allie Olsen and Kamry Bailey, putting Utah up, 21-16. The Utes found a bit of breathing room after a pair of Lauren Jardine kills, giving Utah the 24-21 lead.
 
In the third set, Utah fended off another late Cal press as the Golden Bears would come from behind to bring things back to even at 9-9 through the…