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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 Sports) – Utah’s incredible turnaround season isn’t done yet.
After going 11-19 in 2023, the Utes Volleyball team has advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after a three-set sweep over the College of Charleston Thursday night.
Kamryn Gibadlo led the way with 11 kills, and the Utes swept the Cougars, 25-21, 25-19 and 25-16. Utah will host 5th-seeded Marquette in the second round Friday at 7:00 p.m. at the Huntsman Center.
“I’m very pleased with the win,” said 35-year head coach Beth Launiere. “That was a fairly typical Utah volleyball match in terms of we got contributions from a lot of different players at different times through the course of the match.”
Lauren Jardine chipped in with nine kills and four blocks, while Emrie Satuala had eight kills and four blocks. Kamry Bailey had 16 digs, while Claranne Fechter had 14 digs.
“I think it’s really cool just to see all of our hard work paying off,” Satuala said. “I think we worked really hard in the spring and over the summer. Things are just coming together. So I still think we have so much room to grow.”
Isabelle Marco and Grace Hammond each contributed 17 sets.
Marquette swept Florida Gulf Coast in the first match of the night. The Golden Eagles are now 24-8, while the Utes improved to 25-5.
Utah is making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2021. Utah has not made it to the Sweet 16 since 2019.