The No. 19 University of Utah volleyball team remained unbeaten on the season after defeating tournament host Utah Valley University 25-21, 25-20, 25-18 in the Wolverine Classic on Saturday in Orem.
The Utes’ Saige Ka’aha’aina-Torres and Kenzie Koerber were named to the all-tournament team, while Dani Drews was named tournament MVP.
Utah improved to 7-0 on the season — the Utes’ best start since they went 10-0 to open the 2014 campaign.
“We’re getting better every match, and we’ve got an experienced, mature group that is really focusing on continuing to get better,” coach Beth Launiere said. “It’s a very workmanlike attitude in the gym. There is a lot more for us to get better at, but that’s what I’m most proud of with this group right now.”
Drews finished with a season-best 21 kills while hitting .405. Koerber finishing with 13 kills while hitting .440. Ka’aha’aina-Torres set a career high in a three-set match with 43 assists and added six digs and three blocks.
Berkeley Oblad had eight kills, three service aces, three digs and three blocks. With 398 career blocks, Oblad is just two away from becoming the 13th player in Utah history to reach 400 blocks.
Jasmine Niutupuivaha and Kazna Tarawhiti represented the Wolverines on the all-tournament team.
Utah will now look forward to another tough weekend on the road at Pepperdine, where the Utes will take on No. 10 Pittsburgh and Cal Poly as well as the host Waves. The first match will be against Pepperdine on Friday at 1 p.m.
No. 13 BYU claims Doterra Classic title
The 13th-ranked Cougars were named Doterra Classic champions after sweeping Weber State 25-22, 25-16, 25-22 Saturday night at the Smith Fieldhouse in Provo.
Senior McKenna Miller was named tournament MVP after recording a game-high 11 kills to go along with an ace and nine digs. Sophomore Heather Gneiting and junior Taylen Ballard-Nixon had eight kills each, while freshman Whitney Bower added 30 assists, nine digs, three blocks, two aces and two kills.
Gneiting and sophomore Madelyn Robinson joined Miller on the all-tournament team, along with Weber State’s Megan Gneiting and Sam Schiess.
“We had strong energy tonight and asserted ourselves from the start,” BYU head coach Heather Olmstead said. “I think Whitney spread out the offense really well and got lots of hitters involved.
“Overall I’m pleased with the way our team played this weekend and we’ll work to keep getting better.”
