The red-hot Utes cooled off Saturday, losing to Colorado State in four games 24-30, 28-30, 34-32 and 21-30.
The loss ended Utah's home win streak at 11-straight games, plus the team win streak ended at seven in a row.
"They just played much better then we did, they never really let us in," said Ute head coach Beth Launiere.
The Rams attacking offense punished the Utes' defense, outscoring them in kills, 74-56. Casey Bauer led the way with 21 kills for CSU.
"We knew they could come in here and beat us, if we didn't play well. They've had some bad losses but they're a very good team," Launiere said.
On senior night, Utah tried to make a game of it and did when senior Shelly Sommerfeldt stepped up her game. She led the Utes with 16 kills. The Orem product sparked the Utes to a dramatic 34-32 win in game 3 to get back into the match.
Despite closing the gap, Colorado State was unfazed. The Rams quickly got the Utes down 10-4 and went on to win the game and the match.
Former Northridge High School's Dre Downs helped the Rams cause with 14 kills, eight of them in the crucial first two games. The senior was down right giddy about sweeping the Utes and Cougars.
"This is the hardest road trip in the conference, anytime you get wins over them it's great," she said.
Senior Tess Rodgers recorded 13 kills and freshman Mekana Barnes had 14 kills eventually it was too much offensive firepower for the Utes to overcome.
Three seniors say good-bye for to Utah, Shelly Sommerfeldt, Danielle Leichliter and Katie Theurer.
"This was their night," Launiere says. "They just mean so much to the program," she said. The Utes will play their final two regular season games on the road as they travel UNLV and San Diego State next week.
E-mail: tpeterson@desnews.com