Volleyball Southern Conference

No. 12 Utah Ends Furman?s Late Season Run, 3-0

CLEMSON, S.C. ? The No. 12 seed Utah Utes proved too much for the Furman Lady Paladins in the 2008 NCAA Volleyball Tournament First Round, winning the match, 3-0 (25-17; 26-24; 25-17). The Lady Paladins end the season at 21-14, while Utah improves to 25-5 and will meet the winner of the Clemson-Tennessee match Saturday.

 

In the first set Utah took the first point and never trailed as it took set one, 25-17. The two teams traded points early before the Utes made a run to go up by as many as eight at 14-6. However, Furman rebounded to pull within five at 21-16, before Utah pulled away to take the first set, 25-17. Three service errors plagued the Lady Paladins in set one. Outside hitter Kathryn Haynie led the way for the Utes with three kills, while the team had eight block assists.

 

The second set proved to be a back and forth affair with the set not being decided at 25. Utah grabbed the final two points however to win it 26-24. The Lady Paladins came out inspired, but could never build more than a two-point lead. The Utes were able to take a three point lead at 20-17, but Furman rallied back to tie it at 21 before taking a 22-21 lead. Utah rallied back to tie it at 22, before taking a lead and claiming the set, putting them up 2-0 going into halftime. Haynie again led the Utes with four kills. Leading Furman was right side hitter Kelly Kirby, who also had four kills. Lady Paladin setter Kelsey Salava had eight assists.

 

The Lady Paladins came out strong in the third set looking to stave off elimination. They took a three point lead at 6-3 and 8-5. Utah rallied back however to tie the score at nine and again at 19. The score went back and forth before Utah began to pull away, taking a 20-16 lead. The Lady Paladins managed to score one more point before Utah closed out the set and match by scoring the final five points, winning 25-17. The Utes hit a remarkable .636 in the final set.

 

The Utes had very balanced attacking with three players having eight kills each and two with seven. Furman was led by Kirby’s 11 kills, seven digs and two block assists. Middle blocker Nicole Palazzo, an All-SoCon Tournament performer, tallied seven kills and three block assists.