SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - The Leopards wrapped up the Utah Classic on Saturday afternoon, taking on No. 23 Utah. Ultimately, the Utes secured their second win of the season (25-17, 25-16, 25-14). Senior Hannah Ehrich-Pollock's displayed her defensive talents for the second day in the row, recording four blocks.

In the first set, the Maroon and White gained an early 3-2 lead over the Big 12 Conference opponent after Carol Ulichney and Ehrich-Pollock each smacked a kill. Things remained close, with the two teams splitting the next 14 points. Utah snagged 13-10 advantage shortly after with back-to-back service aces Leah Wilton-LaBoy helping turn the tide. A service ace and Devyn Wiest kill later, the Utes held a two-point lead going into the media timeout. The hosts' 5-0 run at the end granted Utah a 25-17 win.

Set two began with the teams tied at three apiece before a 6-2 run put distance between them. With the score at 9-5 in favor of Utah, Auma Mbeche-Odhiambo and Ehrich-Pollock rose up to send a Ute attack to the ground, making up ground with a block. Utah's Lana Mijacic slapped a kill to begin a three-point spurt that increased the lead and moved the Utes closer to a set two victory. The Maroon and White kept the opponents in check towards the end, with kills from Ally Feczko, Abby Nicholson and Destiny McKenzie shrinking a 19-16 deficit. Allie Grossenbach came in clutch down the stretch, with consecutive kills to close out the set on a 6-0 run.

In the third and final set, Utah gained an early 5-0 lead. After a service error put the Leopards on the board, the Utes went on a 10-4 run that minimized Lafayette momentum. The Maroon and White outscored the hosts 4-3 over the next seven points. Utah's experience proved to be valuable, as it navigated a Leopard comeback to secure a win in the third set and claim the match.

Destiny McKenzie paced the Lafayette offense with five kills. Mackenzie Calhoun and Sophia Wilson tallied seven assists each. The Leopards handled Utah attacks well, with four Leopards registering five or more digs (Wilson, Ulichney, Calhoun and Emily Gouldrup).

Following the conclusion of the Utah Classic, Nicholson earned all-tournament laurels. The senior played in all three games over the two days, tallying 17 kills for an average of 1.7 kills per set.

Lafayette's next time on the court will come Friday at the Red Flash Classic, when the Maroon and White take on Youngstown State.


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