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SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah volleyball coach Beth Launiere can make history Friday night. A win over BYU would bring her career victory number 400. That's an amazing number considering Utah's second most winning coach had 78.
In her 20 years as Utah volleyball coach, Launiere has produced some impressive numbers: 3 Mountain West Conference titles, 13 20-win seasons, and 10 NCAA postseason appearances. If she gets the win Friday night, there will be a much bigger number-- 400.
"I think you always have to enjoy the ride, enjoy the journey," she said.
The year before Launiere arrived, the Utes had one win all season.
"I remember when we won the second match that first year, we doubled our win total, so life was good," she said.
Life has been great for her the past two decades, taking the program to new heights. But coaching this game wasn't always the plan for this Michigan native and college player who graduated in business and economics.
"I tell people I didn't want a 9-5 job so I got a 9-10 and weekends instead for probably less pay," she explained.
If Launiere gets her 400th win Friday night, it will come against --who else-- BYU.
"It just adds to the excitement of the match, so it's just one more reason to win," she said.
E-mail: kaiken@ksl.com
