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Show 6 Friday, December 12,2008 SPORTS Volleyball Men's Basketball Dec. 12 Dec. 13 Dec. 20 Utah § Washington Utah @ Oklahoma Weber State § Utah Utah @ Utah State 9:00PM,MlSeattle,Wosb. 3:00 P.M., G, Norman, Oklahoma 4:00 P.M., Ml Dec. 22 www.dailyutahchronicle.com Women's Basketball Dec. 27 Utah § UC Irvine Dec. 13 Dec. 19 Dec. 20 Dec. 28 Santa Clara § Utah Utah § Weber State Mississippi @ Utah Utah § Oregon 2:00 P.M., MT 7:00 P.M., Ml iogam, Utah 8:00 P.M., Ml Irvine, Cal. 7:00 P.M., Ml Qdgen, Utah 6:30 P.M., Ml 1:00 P.M., PT, Eugene, Oregon VOLLEYBALL Huskies between Utah and Elite Eight Paige Fieldsted STAFF WRITER The Utah women's volleyball team is heading into uncharted territory as it travels to Seattle to take on the No. 5 seed Washington Huskies in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. With the exception of head coach Beth Launiere, none of the team or coaching staff has ever been in a match of this magnitude. Despite having never played in the third round of the NCAA tournament, the Ute players are looking at the match as just another game. "It's just the second time in the program history we've been here and we're trying to enjoy it, but at the same time we are going into every match thinking that we're going to win that thing and play the second night/' said Lau- niere, who was named the Bison/ them if they hope to advance to AVCA West Region Coach of the the Elite Eight. Washington's biggest strength Year. Another first the Utes have to is its offense, as it has three team deal with in preparation for the members, averaging more than match is facing former Ute Airial three kills a set. "They have some very good Salvo. This will be the first time since outside hitters and they're going Salvo left Utah after the 2006 to set both antennas and we will season that any Ute players or have to do a good job defending coaches have come face-to-face both antennas," Launiere said. with her. Although Washington has avAlthough the Utes know that eraged a .294 hitting percentage Salvo will be on the other side of on the season, Utah's tough dethe net, they aren't talking about fense has been able to hold opponents to an average .155 hitting it. "Really, it is just about our percentage. Utah has a 26-0 reside and playing on a team," said cord when hitting a higher perEmillie Toone, who was recently centage than its opponent. named to the AVCA All-Region The Utes, ranked No. 4 in the West team. "We're just focus- nation in blocking, have been ing on staying together and this good all season at forcing errors team." and keeping their opponents' kill Regardless of Salvo's presence count low, as they hold oppoon the Huskies' side, the Utes nents to an average of 12 kills per will have their work cut out for set, two fewer than the Huskies are earning. As always, passing and serving will be two big focuses for,the Utes come game time. "Passing will be really important. If we can pass and have all our options open we will be able to keep them on their toes and move the ball around," said senior Lori Baird, who joined teammate Toone on the AVCA All-Region West team. Although Washington is the best team Utah has faced all season, the Utes are confident in their ability to make it past the Huskies and earn a spot in the Elite Eight. "Every round is going to get tougher, but I like our team and the way we are playingrightnow," Launiere said. "We expect to win every time we step on the court, but it's all about our preparation and we will be ready." pfieldsted@chronicleMtah.edu LUCAS ISlW/ThtDcitfUtohQireniik ' Lori Baird has been named to the AVCA All-Region West Team. This weekend the Utes will be face their toughest opponent this year when they play Washington in the Sweet 16. GYMNASTICS Team preview tonight Bryan Chouinard made a little easier for the duo. "One of the things I really like is the team atmosphere," McAllister said. "I The Red Rock faithfuls have had this love that, especially because our team is date marked in their calendar for a long really close. The other girls on the team' have been awesome—they have made time now. Tonight will be the first time this sea- adjusting really easy." son that fans can catch a glimpse of the As the freshmen continue to adjust to 2009 Red Rocks. It's been a long pre- life as collegiate gymnasts at the U, the season and it seems as though the team other teammates are looking to the preis ready to get the season under way. view as the beginning of another run at "I'm really nervous, but I'm super a national championship, a goal they fell excited," said Utah freshman Stepha- just short of for the past two years. nie McAllister. "I can't wait to get out "We worked really hard this summer, there." which led to starting the preseason off The native of Indianapolis is one of right and we've been training really hard, two freshmen who will be getting her even before gymnastics, so our bodies' first taste of action inside the Huntsman are ready," said Jamie Deetscreek. Center, the other being Cortni Beers But if anything, after last year, this out of Tulsa, Okla. The jump from club team has come back stronger and more gymnastics to the collegiate level is not determined than ever. After losing a few • always an easy one, but with help from teammates, the transition has been See GYMNASTICS Page 7 STAFF WRITER ' LENNIE MAHLER/TheDoilfUtahChrMide Tonight's Red Rock Preview is important to Jamie Deetscreek and the rest of the Utah team. The team members will use their performances in the preview to see what work is left to do before the season starts. WOMEN'S BASKETBALL MEN'S BASKETBALL Sooners will be tough contest Marco Villano STAFF WRITER TYLER COBB/The OaifyUtabOmtitlr Kalee Whipple battles for a lose ball during Tuesday's win over Westminster. The Utes look to build on that win Saturday when they face Santa Clara in the Huntsman Center. Utes look to limit errors Quinn Wilcox STAFF WRITER Griffins, the bench scored zero points. "The particular bench we have aren't full of scorers," said head coach Elaine Elliott. "They're not shooters or kids that have that as their best to offer. They have other things they have to do for us, but having said that, if they can come in and just nit a key shot here or there, then that could be a real key for us." Although the bench players on the team are mainly used for defensive purposes, it is still a troubling sign that they couldn't muster much production on the offensive end against a non-Division 1 opponent. The other problem area that has plagued the Utes all season long is turnovers. Utah is averaging Utah looks to improve on its most recent. victory and bump up its record to 4-4 as it takes on Santa Clara this weekend. The Utes' last game was a 20point victory over Westminster College, 69-49. The two stars were shining as usual, with Morgan Warburton scoring 23 points and Kalee Whipple notching 21. It was also a career day for Halie Sawyer, as she notched her first career double-double, with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Although the startingfiveplayed well, there was a huge drop-off in production once the bench came in. Utah's bench hasn't provided much help in the scoring department all season, only averaging 4.3 points on the year. Against .the See ERRORS Page 7 The road traveled gets no easier for the Runnin' Utes. Utah (5-3) has to, once again, toss aside the memory of a tough loss to focus on a difficult road game this weekend, as it takes on the No. 5 and 9-0 Oklahoma Sooners. After Cal spoiled the Utes' secondhalf comeback, Utah looks to face one of the most well-rounded teams in the country. Oklahoma is the prototypical Big 12 team this season, in that it dominates teams down low and tears teams apart on the boards. "They're a better opponent than Cal and Oregon," said Ute guard Carlon Brown. "We just gotta come together as a group, get our assignments done and come out and compete." For the first time this season, the Utes will get national publicity. The mantra of Utah this season has been being able to play in big games. Against the Sooners, it could be a tough task. "It's a live audience, ESPN2, everybody's excited," Brown said. "We need a win, so we gotta play like there's no tomorrow." Oklahoma is outscoring, outrebounding and outplaying its opponents this season. The Sooners have played some pushover opponents inTulsa and Maine and some qualityopponents in Davidson and USC. The main difference is, as the games come down to the wire, the Sooners find a way to win. The Utes might be without the likes of two of their five starters this Saturday. After trading blows down low with Cal forward Harper Kemp, center and leading scorer Luke Nevill tweaked his hip and said that he is "unsure" about playing against the Sooners. If this is the case, the Utes might have an even tougher time controlling 6-foot-io, 250-lb. Ail-American candidate Blake Griffin. V 4 TYLER COBB/ftf Doily Uioh (hmnldt Luke Nevili is unsure if he will be able to play Saturday in Oklahoma. The loss of Nevill wilt make stopping Oklahoma's Blake Griffin more challenging. "Nobody feels sorry for anybody at this level," said Ute head coach Jim Boylen. "Guys get hurt, you gotta move on, you play the guys you have and we'll keep doing that." Griffin has led the team in scoring and rebounding in all nine wins this season for the Sooners, earning an average of 24 points and 15 rebounds per game. With a powerhouse such as Griffin, the Utes might be doomed without a healthy 7-foot-2-inch Nevill, who, like Griffin, is the team's leader at 18.5 points per game and 8.5 boards per contest. Point guard Luka Drca is still expected to be out for another nine to 10 days with an ankle sprain, meaning Boylen will have to decide whether or not he wants to start true freshman guard Jace Tavita again or senior Tyler Kepkay. See BASKETBALL Page 7 |
