|
|
Lyndsey Henderson chalked up 11 blocks in the 3-0 win over Wyoming tonight.
|
Nov. 12, 2004
SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah volleyball team clinched at least a share of the Mountain West Conference title when it swept Wyoming here this evening, 3-0.
Game scores were 30-16, 30-22 and 30-26. The win ups the Utes to 21-3 overall and gives them a school-record 13 conference wins, going 13-0 in league play. Wyoming stumbles to 13-12 overall and to 6-7 in MWC matches.
"In our initial meeting in January, the first thing we talked about was winning the conference title," head coach Beth Launiere said. "We wanted to win a conference championship and the team has been focused on that since day-one.
"As we steamrolled into the weekend, it was obvious that this team wanted tonight's match and are still hungry for a win tomorrow night."
The team rallied around the performances of Kelsie Kartchner and Lyndsey Henderson this evening. Kartchner had a triple-double (12 kills, 17 assists and 13 digs) while Henderson turned in a double-double with 14 kills and 11 blocks. The 11 block assists ties the school's three-game record, set by McKelle Stilson in 1998. Henderson hit .462 (14-2-26) in racking up 21.5 points and Kartchner was an efficient .357 (12-2-28).
Things got off to a fast start in games one and two for the Utes. They jumped out to 12-1 lead in the first game and had a 5-1 cushion in game two. Utah hit a match-best .294 (15 kills, 5 errors and 34 attempts) in the first frame while holding its rivals to a meager -.100 (5-9-40).
The Utes finished hitting .266 (51-17-128) for the match while holding Wyoming to a paltry .070 (31-22-128). The attack centered around Tracy Neumeier and her 28 assists while Kartchner chipped in with her 17.
Utah also held the edge defensively, outblocking the Cowgirls, 13-2. Henderson led the way in blocks while Connie Dangerfield scooped up a match-best 22 digs.
|
|
 |
Utah will have the chance to win the title outright tomorrow night when it hosts the final MWC match for the year. No. 10 Colorado State invades Crimson Court for a 7 p.m. match. It will also air on a tape delay on CSTV on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. as a part of the Sunday Night Spike.
