Wilmes Takes Spotlight In Marathon Win Over Utes

Sunday, October 15

Seattle, WA

12:00 PM

University of Washington

13-6,4-4Pac-12

Utah

8-10,3-5Pac-12

Utah

Washington

October 15, 2023 | Volleyball

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By: UW Athletic Communications

SEATTLE – Three different hitters have led the Huskies in kills in the past three matches, all wins, as a different Dawg continues to step up to get Washington in the win column. Today it was Audra Wilmes's turn, and she delivered a huge career-high 24 kills to help the Dawgs outlast Utah in a nearly three-hour marathon, 19-25, 25-20, 25-20, 24-26, 16-14. Washington's third-straight win puts it back to .500 in Pac-12 play at 4-4, 13-6 overall and 6-1 at Alaska Airlines Arena.

The sophomore from Oregon's previous career-high for kills was 16, but she blew by that today, getting five of her 24 kills in the fifth and final set, including one that created Washington's third and ultimately final match point chance at 15-14. The next rally ended when a Utah shot went around the antenna, reminiscent of Husky Football winning on the missed field goal on Saturday. Utah challenged the call but after a review, the call stood and the Dawgs got to celebrate.

"She has been unstoppable."

A look at the 24th kill for Audra Wilmes, which got the Huskies their third match point.

Her previous career-high was 16 ??#PointHuskies pic.twitter.com/TpXqPd44AM
— Washington Volleyball (@UWVolleyball) October 15, 2023

In Friday's win over Colorado, Kierstyn Barton had led the way with 17 kills, and last week against Cal, Madi Endsley had a team-high 18 kills in the four set victory. It's the fifth time this season Wilmes has led the Huskies in kills.

"Utah is a really good team and we had to grind this one out," said Head Coach Leslie Gabriel. "Today it was Audra's day, where she was able to step up and help us out in ways we needed her to. We also had three players in double digit digs in Grace Zilbert, Kierstyn Barton and Molly Wilson. Then just serve-and-pass we were able to win that battle tonight."

Washington had to rally after dropping the opening set, and then make another push after Utah fought off a Husky match point in the fourth set at 24-23, winning the final three points to extend it to five. Utah saved a second match point at 14-13 in the fifth but the Dawgs were able to sideout and force the error in the end.

The Huskies won despite Utah finishing with a higher attack percentage, .232 to .219 for the Dawgs, and Utah had a 65-57 edge in kills. But the Utes missed 19 serves while the Huskies missed nine. Washington had 61 digs to 60 for Utah and the Utes led in blocks, 13.0 to 7.0.

Wilmes hit .404 with 24 kills on 47 swings and just five errors.

"One thing I've been proud of her for is how she just goes for it," said Gabriel on Wilmes. "She's swinging with a lot of courage and a lot of confidence on that right side especially and she just leaves it all on the floor."

Barton had the first double-double of her career as she had 17 kills and a career-high 10 digs. Madi Endsley had 12 kills and two blocks. Molly Wilson also had a double-double with 43 assists and 12 digs. Grace Zilbert had 18 digs and Lauren Bays and Wilmes chipped in seven apiece.

Make it a 5-0 Husky run!!!#PointHuskies // ?? Pac-12 Washington pic.twitter.com/jtHljPqeqZ
— Washington Volleyball (@UWVolleyball) October 15, 2023

UP NEXT: The Huskies will try to keep the wins coming on the road next week as they visit UCLA and USC in Los Angeles to complete the first half of Pac-12 play. Washington is at UCLA on Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. then at USC on Oct. 22 at 2 p.m.