SAN DIEGO, Calif. – After dropping a competitive first set, Utah Volleyball bounced back to complete the four-set win over SMU (23-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-22) to open the weekend’s action. With six players recording at least five kills each and the team posting a season-high 13 service aces, Utah improved to 5-2 in non-conference play.
SMU limited Utah to just a .059 hitting percentage in the opening set, causing the Utes to quickly fall behind 1-0 in the match. Despite the struggle to find an offensive groove, Utah played a tight first set as the score was never separated by more than two points until SMU pulled ahead 19-16. Out of a Utah timeout, the Mustangs extended the lead to 20-16 following a Ute attack error.
The Utes responded with a 5-1 run to tie the frame 21-21. Later, a service error from Utah and an ace from SMU set the score at 24-22 in favor of the Mustangs. Lauren Jardine earned a sideout with a kill, but a Mustang kill countered and won the frame 25-23.
Looking to bounce back, Utah used a 3-1 run to build some separation midway through the second set and take a 15-12 lead. Three unanswered points for SMU tied the set once again, but the Utes would later put together a 3-0 run for themselves to lead 20-17. The Mustangs cut the score to 21-19, but consecutive kills from Allie Olsen followed by a kill from Madelyn Robinson put the team at set point, 24-19. Megan Yett collected an ace to cap off the 4-0 run and tie the match 1-1.
Utah put together an 8-0 start in the fourth set with Emily Smith leading the way, recorded three service aces in…
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