MVLB–Cougars Do It Again

After beating the number one team, UC Irvine, the Cougars took them on the night after, just to put another W on their record. However, despite the win, the Anteaters gave them a bit more of a challenge and took the game to five sets. That night, the Cougars were lead by senior opposite, Robb Stowell (#13). Stowell lead the offense with a career high of 21 kills, averaging a .472 hitting percentage. He also gave their defense six digs. Following Stowell was sophomore sensation, Taylor Sander (#15), contributing 18 kills and four aces for the night. Setting up all of those kills was senior setter, Joe Kauliakamoa (#8), racking up 51 assists.

The Cougars kept the momentum swinging from the night before. The first set took off and went straight to win the first set, 25-22. The second set started off with a bang. BYU kept going after a huge 17-12 lead sending them the first set, final score, 25-19, which ended with an ace by Josue Rivera.

By the time the first set was upon the two teams, the Anteaters decided that it was time to fight back and fight back they did. They took the team up ahead as much as seven points and took the third set. The Cougars took a brutal blow in the game, losing the third set, 15-25.

The fourth set was no different. The Anteaters liked the way that they were playing, and decided to keep it going. BYU recognized the adrenaline that hit Irvine, and tried to fight it back. The Cougar's didn't let them get too far until end game. That's when Irvine took a five point streak, which closed up the fourth set, tying the game at 2-2.

If you don't know yet, a fifth set in a volleyball game goes only to 15 points. This put a little more pressure on the Cougars, but it didn't stop them one bit. This was there house, there court, there turf, and they had to defend what was theirs. The Cougar's took an early lead at 5-2. Kills on both the middle and the right side gave them a 10-7 lead. UC Irvine would only the score board two more times before BYU took the match. The game ended with an ace from none other than Taylor Sander.

Don't miss the next games as they go up against the Trojans of the University of Southern California, where we'll be seeing Hawaiian Pride from Ben Lam (#13) and a personal friend, Micah Christenson (#5). Good luck BYU and GO BYU COUGARS!