Utah volleyball outlasts Arizona in 3-1 Halloween matchup at the Huntsman Center

SALT LAKE CITY – Dressed in their home whites and fueled by a Halloween-night crowd, the No. 22 Utah Utes delivered an electrifying 3-1 win over the Arizona Wildcats, marking a highlight of their season as they continue their Big 12 journey.

In front of a packed Huntsman Center crowd, the Utes displayed grit. Overcoming a tough Arizona team whose relentless offense brought tension to every set.

The Utes opened strong, capturing the first set 25-20 with decisive play from Kamryn Gibadlo, who entered the night on the cusp of a major career milestone.

Gibadlo was not only relentless but historic, recording her 500th career kill as part of a standout 19-kill performance that brought the crowd to its feet. Her powerful swings and smart placement rallied Utah through tense moments, anchoring the offense and setting an aggressive tone that the Wildcats struggled to counter.

Arizona pushed back in the second set, claiming a 25-21 win behind the efforts of Jaelyn Hodge, Arizona's primary offensive threat, who entered the match averaging over four kills per set.

Despite this setback, Utah kept its focus, responding by clinching the third set 25-20 with excellent team defense and controlled passing that allowed them to stay organized and efficient in the face of Arizona's strong blocking.

The fourth set became the heart-stopper. The Utes faced a 21-24 deficit, with Arizona only a point away from forcing a fifth set. But Utah's defense held firm, and Arizona's attack errors allowed Utah to sneak back. With a few key swings, including a clutch attack from Gibadlo, the Utes executed a flawless 5-0 run, claiming the set 26-24 and with it, the match.

The Utes are on an upward trajectory, having re-entered the top 25 for the first time since their preseason No. 22 ranking in 2022.

Their 10 sweeps this season testify to their determination to climb higher in the rankings and make a run for the Big 12 title. Led by a roster that includes experienced hitters and a relentless defensive unit, Utah has shown it can handle the challenges that the Big 12 brings.

Next up, Utah faces another top-tier opponent, the 13th-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils on Saturday in Salt Lake City.

Following that, the Utes will hit the road for a showdown with Colorado before returning home for a rivalry match against BYU on Nov. 8. With key wins stacking up, the Utes are setting themselves up as a team to watch in the Big 12.

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