Utah Volleyball Splits Bay Area Trip

The Cal Bears appeared to be just what the doctor ordered for the Utah volleyball team. After getting swept at No. 1 Stanford Friday night, the Utes headed to Berkeley to  take on Cal. The Utes took down the Bears in four sets and ended what was a nine-match road losing streak. It was their second victory over Cal this season to sweep the season series.

The Utes (17-12, 7-11 in the Pa-12) came out the dominant team in the first set. The teams played even as Utah held a 6-5 lead, then took off on a 10-0 run. Some quality kills by Freshman Adora Anae, and Senior Shelby Dalton helped the Utes take the 16-5 lead. The Utes would hold the Bears to only three more points in the set. A couple kills and by blocks by Senior Bailey Bateman helped the Utes to a 25-8 set win.

The second set the Bears proved they would not go down so easily and looked to take the second set with a 17-13 lead. The Utes would battle back, and Utah went on a 11-3 run, and looked to close out the set. Cal however too the next two points, before Utah closed out the set 25-22.

The third set would go to Cal. The Utes held the lead 14-13, but Cal fought back with a couple runs, and ultimately decided the Utes weren't going to have the sweep that Sunday. Utah made a push late in the set for three straight points to cut the lead to 24-21, but the final kill by Cal Junior Lara Vukasovic took the set 25-21.

Utah was determined to take the fourth set, and used 18 kills to end any hope of a Cal comeback. The Utes dominated the set and finished off the Bears 25-16, taking the match 3-2.

The Utes had four players in double figures in kills, and Bateman led the team with 13. Utah had 63 kills to 46 for Cal. Utah had a .360 hitting percentage on the afternoon. Bateman tallied a .571 hitting percentage. On the defensive side of the net, the Utes had 12 blocks to just six for the Cal Bears.

The Utes will head back to Salt Lake City where Tuesday they will take on the Oregon Ducks at 7 p.m. MT.