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Utah was not playing well. Ute coach Beth Launiere's face grew longer with each point that inched 12th-ranked Oregon women's volleyball team closer to victory.
Yet, in that oppressive moment, a rare one in the usually cozy confines of Crimson Court, a Launiere strength revealed itself.
"She's really good about saying what we need to do as opposed to saying, 'Don't do this,'" former Ute Kate Robison said. "She knows how to get the best out of her players."
Not surprisingly, Utah picked itself up and won its next two matches, both in the Mountain West Conference. The victories were the 16th consecutive conference triumphs for the Utes and Launiere, who is now one win away from 400.
BYU is the next Utah opponent, at 7 p.m. Friday on Crimson Court.
For Launiere, who entered her 20th season ranked 46th all-time among collegiate coaches, each new year brings the same challenges.
"We're constantly battling for recruits," Launiere said. "We don't win because we have 'Utah' on our backs. We win because we have to outwork everyone."
That work ethic began in her home town of Grand Rapids, Mich., Launiere's family are strictly blue-collar, tool-and-dye workers.
"She's very intense," said junior outside hitter Karolina Bartkowiak.
That intensity is part of the reason Launiere has built a nationally recognized program, one that has advanced twice to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, including 2008.
Utah has won six conference titles and in 2006 went undefeated, 16-0, in league play, in the process also winning a school record 25 consecutive matches.
Understandably, Launiere takes great pride in building a career 399-217 mark. The year before she arrived in 1990, the Utes won one match.
"When she came here, she was really wet behind the ears," said Utah women's basketball coach Elaine Elliott. "It was worse than I was. She has learned to manage a team, not just coach a team."
Utah managed just seven victories in 1990, none in conference. Three years later, the Utes won 25 matches, the first of 13 seasons with 20 or more wins.
After a few more years with the Utes, Launiere was voted president of the American Volleyball Coaches Association. By 2006, it was full steam ahead. There was a vision of Utah's first Final Four.
"I'm not even close to the coach I was, even 10 years ago," Launiere said. "My former players probably think I'm too soft now. I've definitely grown as a coach."
That growth was tested following 2006 when two key players, including an All-American, transferred to different schools.
Utah began 2007 by losing seven of its first nine matches. However, Launiere kept her team looking forward and eventually they finished 15-15. In the MWC tournament, Utah upset ranked Colorado State and came within a whisker of qualifying for the NCAA tournament.
"The players [who stayed] cared so much," Launiere said. "I never doubted that."
It was, arguably, Launiere's finest coaching performance.
"To take a hit like that, it was a testament to the staff and her kids," Elliott said. "It was a psychological blow. She was very prepared to cope with that."
It took one season to reload, improving by 11 victories to 26-6 in 2008, including that march to the Sweet 16.
"She's very positive all the time," said Bartkowiak, won over quickly during the recruiting process. "She looks forward, not back. We just connected on a good level. I just liked her."
This season began slowly as Launiere and her young Utes -- there are two seniors on the team -- work to overcome the loss of several talented seniors, including All-American Lori Baird.
If history means anything, Utah will finish strong.
"More than anything, I'm proud of the sustainability of the program, year after year," Launiere said. "I've had great support by the administration. Every year it's a new challenge."
Utah volleyball coach Beth Launiere is one victory shy of picking up the 400th win of her career.
The Utes play BYU at home on Friday night.
This is Launiere's 20th season as a head coach. She ranks 46th on the all-time list for victories by a college coach.
