:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44248730/Utah_volleyball_vs_Colorado.0.0.jpg)
The No 23 ranked University of Utah volleyball team gave the NCAA Volleyball selection committee a little more to think about, as the Utes won their version of the Rumble in the Rockies defeating the No 18 Colorado Buffaloes 3-1. A perfect way to send out the seniors with another victory over a Top 25 team, and the school record sixth victory over a ranked opponent this season.
Colorado began the first set looking like they were in Salt Lake City to take their second match of the season from the Utes and prove their dominance in the Rocky Mountain rivalry. A 5-0 run pushed the Buffalo lead to 12-7. Later in the set the Utes went on a 6-1 run to tie the set at 18-18. Both teams traded points until Colorado pulled away to take the set 25-22.
Colorado opened the second set with a 6-0 run. Utah then came back with a 12-4 run of their own to take the lead at 12-10. Senior Bailey Bateman and put her stamp on the set with some great blocks and kills, as she helped the Utes take the second set 25-22, and even up the match 1-1 at the intermission.
The Utes open up the third set taking a 15- 4 lead thanks to a 7-1 and a 5-0 run. A couple runs by the Buffaloes closed the gap, but the Utes ultimately took the set 25-19, and led the match 2-1.
In the fourth the Utes had a couple good runs and the found themselves up 12-6. A 6-2 run by the Buffalos put them right back in the set and proved they wouldn't go down so easily. A few plays later, a Bateman kill and block, and the Utes were ahead 21-15. Kills by seniors Kalee Kirby and Shelby Dalton gave the Utes match point at 24-17. The Buffaloes would get two more points, but a final kill by senior Chelsey Schofield-Olsen sealed the set 25-19 and the Match 3-1.
Dalton had 14 kills in the match, Bateman had 12, and Schofield-Olsen added 10. All three Seniors reaching double figures on Senior day, and were the bulk of Utah's 52 team kills. Bateman had seven blocks on the afternoon. Colorado's Alexis Austin led the Buffaloes will 14 kills.
The Utes now will wait and see if they are selected. The Pac 12 has a chance to get a record 10 teams in the tournament. The Utes finish 19-12 and 9-11 in the Pac 12. Now they wait to see if they've impressed enough to receive a post-season invite.