Utah volleyball powers past California with 3-0 victory at home

SALT LAKE CITY — In front of an energetic home crowd at the Huntsman Center, Utah swept California 3-0 in an intense, back-and-forth battle on the court.

While each set was competitive, Utah displayed dominance throughout, coming out with an impressive straight-set victory.

From the opening whistle, it was clear the Utes came to play.

Utah took control of the first set, securing a commanding 25-16 win; however, the second set proved to be the real match up. With neither team able to establish a strong lead, each point seemed to hang in the balance.

Eventually, Utah edged California 25-23, pulling ahead in key moments and feeding off the home crowd's energy.

The third and final set saw Utah continue their momentum, closing out the match 25-19 and sending the arena into celebration.

Utah's standout performance was fueled by key contributions, including middle blocker Emrie Satuala, who led the charge with eight kills and three blocks, and outside hitter Kamryn Gibaldo contributed another eight kills, two blocks, and six digs.

The team's defense was anchored by libero Vanessa Ramirez, who led the team with nine digs, making crucial saves throughout the match.

Reflecting on the game, outside hitter Lauren Jardine emphasized the importance of teamwork and preparation.

"We did a lot of work on ourselves and made sure we had depth on our side so that we could put in any rotation of player," Jardine said. "The energy the entire time was positive. It was awesome finding ways to get out of our ruts."

Cal's road to Utah was not without success, having swept Nevada and Portland State and defeating San Francisco in a tight five-set match earlier this season; however, they struggled to keep pace with Utah's aggressive play and the electric atmosphere of the Huntsman Center.

Newly appointed head coach Jen Malcom will no doubt look to build on Cal's early-season success.

The home atmosphere played a crucial role in Utah's victory, and Ramirez credited the Utah culture with creating a sense of unity and energy.

"The culture here in Utah is like family; it's a sisterhood," she said. "Positivity and high energy were constant the entire game."

With the win, Utah now prepares for a big test as they face No. 8 Purdue on Friday. After that, the Utes hit the road for the first time this season, traveling to Chicago for the Loyola Chicago Tournament.

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