Utah and BYU Look for Perfect MWC Record

PROVO -- Both the Utes and the Cougars will look to stay undefeated in Mountain West Conference play when they take to the Crimson Court in Salt Lake City Friday at 7 p.m.

“The Deseret Duel had made an already great rival more exciting,” said BYU head coach Shay Goulding. “With us both coming into this match 2-0 in conference, there is a lot at stake in this match. Our team will be prepared, focused and ready to meet the Utes on Friday.”

Both programs defeated SDSU and Air Force last week in the MWC opening week. Utah beat Air Force 3-1 and SDSU 3-0 while the Cougars swept Air Force (3-0) and won in five against SDSU (3-2). The all-time series boasts a 64-23 record in favor of BYU. In the last meeting Utah swept BYU in three.

Utah head coach Beth Launiere is now one win short of 400 for her career and currently has a 399-217 (.648) record in her 20th season with the Utes.

Senior rightside hitter Kayla Walker was named MWC Player of the Week Monday for her performance in both matches. She led in kills both games, tallying a career-high 32 kills against the Aztecs while maintaining a .500 hitting percentage. She took a total of 58 swings and only had three errors. Her playing was phenomenal in that match. Her 32 kills is the third-highest total in MWC league-match history. Thursday’s match against SDSU marked her third double-double of the 2009 season.

Casey Speredon Thurston also finished the SDSU match with her career high in kills with 13. Setter Kiana Rogers also broke her assist season high with 55 assists. Morgan Lloyd Sorensen posted 22 digs and Melissa Lake Wright added 18, tying a season high.

Against the Falcons, match-leaders included Walker with 10 kills hitting at .353 and Christina Measom with nine kills, hitting at .471. Camilla Phillips had significant playing time for the Cougars, posting a career-high six kills, hitting at .364. Morgan Lloyd Sorensen added 11 digs.

The match will be broadcast via BYU Radio by clicking HERE.