Utah Releases 2017 Women’s Volleyball Schedule

Utah will open its 2017 schedule with 3 pre-conference tournaments and two in-state rivalry matches. The Utes are looking to build on their success of the previous season’s record of 20-12. Opening the schedule with these three pre-conference tournaments will test this Utah squad early as they face off against 5 2016 NCAA tournament teams: Missouri, Hawaii, San Diego, Cincinnati, and Kentucky.

The first tournament is hosted by University of Kentucky in Lexington, where the Utes play against Cincinnati, Kentucky and Arkansas State. Utah continues their road battles in the Hawaiian Airlines Rainbow Wahine Classic against Hawaii, South Dakota, and Western Carolina. The Utes finally return home for their last tournament bringing San Diego, Missouri and Green Bay to Salt Lake City. Since 2012 Utah has scheduled matches against in-state rivals, this year they face off against BYU and Utah State.

Utah closed out their 2016 campaign with a 11-9 conference record in the ever challenging Pac-12. The conference portion of their schedule is very balanced, playing every team twice except for Cal who they get to play at home, and the defending champions Stanford, who they play on the road. Opening the conference with four matches at home offers the Utes a critical opportunity to build momentum and get some wins against quality teams in, Colorado, Cal, Oregon and Oregon State. With key changes at some of the top Pac-12 schools, Utah can climb the ladder to secure a tournament spot with early wins against their fellow conference members.

The team will be led by second team All-American Adora Anae who tallied 501 kills, 388 digs, and 22 service aces, assisting her team in all facets of the game. Setter Bailey Choy will also be key for the Utes success in 2017 after she capped off a fantastic first year with 918 assists and a 7.17 assists-per-set average.