PROVO — For Berkeley Oblad, it’s easy to think “what might have been.”

As in, what might’ve happened if Utah’s 6-foot-4 middle blocker hadn’t missed the 2018 season with an elbow injury? What would’ve happened if she had more than six matches to finish off what should’ve been her senior year, a season the Utes finished 19-14 with a 3-0 loss to then-No. 4 BYU in the second round of the NCAA Tournament?

Also, what would’ve happened if Oblad hadn’t received a waiver from the NCAA granting her another year of eligibility because of an elbow injury?

It’s impossible to know for sure. But to the last question, it’s easy to assume: the Utes wouldn’t be 24-9 and probably wouldn’t be moving on to their fourth Sweet 16 in program history.

Everything happens for a reason, right?

Good thing for the Utes, who will take on No. 3 Stanford in next week’s regional final after sweeping BYU on its home court Saturday night.

“It’s awesome to be back,” said Oblad, who has 326 kills, 159 blocks and 59 digs. “I didn’t think I’d be here again, and I’m beyond proud of this team for where we worked all season. I’m just so grateful to get to play with these girls.

“We just played a really great match. There’s nothing more fun than that.”

The Henderson, Nevada, native had a standout junior season in 2017, playing all 34 matches and earning All Pac-12 honorable mention and All-American honorable mention honors from the American Volleyball Coaches’ Association.

Oblad was on pace to be even better a year later, pouring in 11 kills in a win over Saint Mary’s and totaling 14 blocks through the first six matches of the season. But following a sweep of Iowa State on Sep. 1, a doctors’ diagnosis confirmed the worst: her elbow was too far gone.

There goes the season. Oblad was forced to the sidelines, to watch, to wait as her teammates tried to continue on without her.

She watched as they labored to a 10-10 record in Pac-12 play. She watched as they received an invitation to the NCAA Tournament, to face Denver in the Provo regional.

She also watched as the Cougars celebrated a win over their rivals at home during a special season that led to the Final Four.

Oblad watched — and waited to play a bigger role on the 2019 squad, one that might lead the Utes to their second Sweet 16 (or beyond) in three years.

“Berkeley has a huge role on our team, and getting her back was one of the things I most looked forward to this year,” said junior Dani Drews, who leads the Utes with 4.73 kills per set. “I feel like she can agree that she has some unfinished business.

“I feel grateful to get to play with her. She does so much for us, both on the court and off the court. She’s always the first one in the gym, last one out; she shows that leadership each and every day.”

And then, when the season ended, she petitioned the NCAA. She requested another year, to join libero and Utah all-time digs leader Bri Doehrmann, fellow senior Kinga Windisch, and a list of underclassmen for that unfinished business.

“When she decided to come back for a fifth year, she wanted to do something very special with this group,” Utah coach Beth Launiere said. “She boldly put that out there, and she’s been a great leader. We’ve all been following.

Regional-bound

No. 17 Utes right at home in sweep of No. 13 BYU for Sweet 16 berth

Dani Drews poured in 17 kills and six digs, and Kenzie Koerber stuffed the stat sheet with 11 kills, eight digs, five blocks, two assists and two aces to lead No. 17 Utah to a stunning 25-15, 25-15, 25-15 upset of No. 13 BYU to advance to the Utes’ fourth Sweet 16 in program history, snapping a four-match winless skid against their southern rivals with their second win in the last 10 in the series.

“This has been a full season of getting better and growing, and playing in some really big matches … This is the culmination of a season of a lot of growth and determination and improvement.”

That business took them — once again — to Provo. The Utes had already lost once to BYU, 3-1 on their home court in non-conference play.

But a lot can change in a few months. And Oblad? She was motivated.

So, too, were the Utes, to put their losses to BYU — nine in their last 10 meetings, including four straight — behind them.

Next up, Utah will get another chance at Stanford. The No. 3-ranked Cardinal beat the Utes in four and five sets during Pac-12 play.

“Third time’s the charm,” Drews said with a smile.

And Oblad laughed in agreement. She wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

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