Utah sweeps No. 18 Baylor for 3rd straight win, 2nd straight top-25 victory

SALT LAKE CITY — In an intense showdown at the Huntsman Center, the Utah women's volleyball team delivered another stunning 3-0 sweep, this time over No. 18 Baylor.

Coming off a victory over No. 17 TCU on Thursday, the Utes showed no signs of slowing down, claiming their second straight win against a top-25 opponent and extending their record to 15-2 on the season.

From the first serve, the energy in the Huntsman Center was evident.

"We didn't have a lot of students, so I think we knew that we had to bring the energy from our bench," Utah's Emrie Satuala said. "This was definitely a team win. Everybody played a role."

The opening set was a tug-of-war, with both teams exchanging points early. Every time Baylor built any momentum, Utah was there to shut it down, led by a solid defense.

The set remained tight throughout, but the Utes found their stride in the final moments, pulling away for a 25-21 first-set win. The tone was set for what would be an all-Utes afternoon.

The second set saw the Utes hit their stride in forceful fashion. Satuala led the charge with a standout performance today, racking up a total of 10 kills and four blocks while boasting a .600 hitting efficiency.

She also set a new career high for service aces with three in the second set alone, propelling Utah to a commanding 25-14 victory.

"I think we always knew we had it in us, and now everyone else knows too," Satuala said.

Kamryn Gibadlo also played a key role, adding 14.5 points overall, with 11 kills to lead the match.

Utah's defense and serving game overwhelmed Baylor, particularly during an 8-point run early in the second set that left the Bears visibly frustrated. During that stretch, Utah jumped from a tight 4-3 lead to an insurmountable 11-4 advantage, setting the tone for the rest of the match.

Bench players Iliana Linahan and Amelia Van Der Werff also made key contributions in the second set, coming off the bench and adding a spark to help Utah maintain their grip on the game.

Baylor made a final push in the third set, closing the gap to 19-17, but Utah held firm. Utah's offensive power came through when it mattered most, with Isabelle Marco setting up Gibadlo for a powerful 11th kill to end the game.

Utah took the third set 25-21, sealing their third consecutive sweep.

With 44 kills compared to Baylor's 36, Utah's offensive dominance was clear, while their seven service aces provided an additional edge.

Defensively, the Utes recorded 37 digs, led by standout performances from the back row.

Utah's next challenge will take them on the road for three consecutive matches, including a highly anticipated showdown against in-state rival BYU on Oct. 19.

"I think we are going to prepare for BYU the same way we've been preparing all season," Satuala said. "We've been dialing in our serve and pass, and that's really what's been keeping us in the game."

Baylor will head back to Texas for their next match against Cincinnati on Oct. 17, while the Utes aim to keep their winning streak alive and extend their remarkable season.

With their recent performances, Utah has proven they are a force to be reckoned with in the NCAA women's volleyball landscape.

Final stats:

• Kills: Utah 44, Baylor 36
• Service Aces: Utah 7, Baylor 4
• Blocks: Utah 5.0, Baylor 4.0
• Digs: Utah 37, Baylor 32

The Utes have now won nine consecutive sets.

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