OCR Text |
Show DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE August 2010 D9 VOLLEYBALL Top-ranked program aims for title Whitney O'Bannon STAFF WRITER Utah volleyball has averaged winning seasons, and since joining the Mountain West Conference in 1999, it has earned an overall record of 116-32. The Utes have won six conference titles and were ranked eighth in the country in 2002. With all this said, a 17-12 season and a third-place finish in the MWC could be viewed as disappointing. "We have a certain level of expectation in our program," said head coach Beth Launiere. "I know that we can't be on top all the time, but we have been pretty fortunate in our program to be consistently towards the top. Certainly third wasn't a complete drop-off for us, but I felt like we dropped some matches that we don't normally drop." Utah believes this season will run smoother as it is returning most of the core players from last year and a few promising additions. Launiere is excited for incoming freshman Morgan Odale and said she has the skill to make a direct impact. Another highly anticipated arrival is freshman Nikki Sim, who was a three-time team MVP at Juan ?????/The Daily Utah Chronicle Utah volleyball team members run onto the court to get ready for the start of a new game. Diego High School. Since the end of last season, the Utes have not stopped working. Although the NCAA restricts players and coaches from formally practicing before Fall Semester, the team has been playing indoor and sand volleyball all summer in preparation. "They have been playing on their own more than I have ever had teams do in the past," Launiere said. As the Utes look forward to the 2010-2011 season, the team is ready to continue progressing and will use last year as a stepping block to improve. Senior Karolina Bartkowiak said Utah's main goal—as it has been in years past—is to win the MWC Championship. "We are very motivated," she said. "This spring, we took the time to really focus on the team and improving as much as we could. We are just ready to start and really hungry for the championship this year." This is the last year Utah will be in the MWC, and it will have its last opportunity to win this championship before joining the Pac-io. The Utes' new conference will have them facing tougher opponents than they ever have. However, Launiere said they have already had a great recruiting response. The effects of Utah joining the Pac-io will not fully show until next year. "We are excited to play those good teams, but we are still focusing on this season," Bartkowiak said. Last fall, Bartkowiak was the staple of the Utah volleyball organization on her way to an all-conference selection. "It's my last year, and I want to go out with a bang," Bartkowiak said. "I just want to get my teammates better around me, and I want them to enjoy this season as much as I want to enjoy it." w.obannon@ chronicle.utah.edu You're INVITED! 1 6/c$3,5 $*,22 videos .ice and more www. daily utah chronicle .com /sports 0 0 rn C.1) 1818 S. 300 West Salt Lake City 84115 (801) 485-9715 WAREHOUSE HOURS Monday — Friday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Always open online at Costco.com . Shop smart. Shop Costco. For more information, visit Costco.com or call 1-800-774-2678. ADOBE PHOTOSHOV ELEMENTS 8 Extraordinary photos. Amazing stoney. Product selection may vary by location. Costco accepts cash, checks, debit/ATM cards, EBT, Costco Cash Cards, Costco Credit Cards and American Express. |