Halloween Weekend Scary for Utah Volleyball

The Pac-12 has been rough on the Utah women's volleyball team. The Utes entered conference play at 10-1, but are just 12-11 after a 2-10 conference campaign. The Utes had to travel to the Arizona schools, both of who were ranked prior to their Friday/Saturday match-ups.

The Utes went toe to toe with the No. 19-ranked Sun Devils Friday night in Tempe, but came up short losing 3-2 in five sets. Senior Chelsey Schofield-Olsen had 17 kills to lead the Utes in the match, and Freshman Adora Anae added 13 kills. ASU looked headed for the three set sweep taking the first two sets 25-19, and 25-21.

Utah went on a pair of runs to pull away, and one the third set 25-16. ASU looked to finish of the match begining the thrid set 6-3, but the Utes came back and got even at 16-16. Back and forth points were were finally finished with a kill by Anae, and a 25-23 victory for the Utes to even up the match at two sets a piece.

The final set went to the Sun Devils 15-13. Mackenzie Willey broke a 8-8 tie with a kill to take the lead for ASU. And Whitney Follett killed of the match and the set for the Sun Devils.

The Utes then traveled down to Tucson hoping to reverse their fortunes. The #15 Wildcats weren't what the doctor ordered. Arizona took down the Utes in straight sets 25-19, 25-23, and 25-16. The Wildcats swept the season series with the victory, and dropped the Utes to 2-10 in conference play. Adora Anae led the Utes with 11 kills in the match, and Tucson product Freshman Carley Trueman added eight kills.  Senior Lea Rudolph had a team high 21 digs on the night.

Arizona sweeps the season series, winning both matches in straight sets, and the Wildcats have now won three straight over Utah dating back to the 2013 season.

The Pac 12 slate is no easier next week, as Utah will host USC on Friday, and UCLA on Saturday.