MVLB–Men's Volleyball: Finally Here

Well ladies and gentlemen the season is FINALLY here. The moment I've been waiting for a very long time. The Men's Volleyball season has finally begun! And what better way to start off the season than to hear that your team is being seeded number one? That's right ladies and gentlemen the BYU Men's Volleyball Team has been seeded as the NUMBER ONE team.

I have a close friend and a coach playing for them right now as well. He's a freshman libero from my high school, Kamehameha Schools. Jaylen Reyes (#12) has been a really close friend to me, my friends, and as well as a coach at my last club. He took out time to be there on our mainland trips in Los Angeles and Minneapolis. I can't wait to see him in action.

Also featuring in our volleyball team is sophomore sensation Taylor Sander (#15). This guy is my idol. He's an all American and has played for the Junior National Team. That's impressive, but to be called to start as a freshman (last year) for BYU as an outside hitter? LEGENDARY. He's pretty much lived my dream life. While playing for the Junior National team, he got to play with another friend of mine, Micah Christenson. He's the best junior setter as far as I'm concerned, but unfortunately, he's not playing for BYU.

Another legend playing for BYU is senior middle blocker, Futi Tavana (#17). Born in the island of Savaii, Samoa and attended high school in Kauai, Futi has broken his blocking percentage twice. Not only was it his record, but it was also the record for the nation. LEGENDARY. The most interesting thing about Futi is that my dad, while on his mission, used to always visit the Tavana family when he was in the area. When I heard this, I was stoked!


Well, today, BYU finished their California Tournament. They started off a little rough and lost to UC Irvine in 4 sets. The Cougar's took the first set, but UC Irvine heard the wake up call and took the next three sets. BYU came back in the tournament by beating Loyola-Chicago in 5 sets. The two teams switched back and forth in winning sets. The fifth set came into play and BYU secured it for their victory. Taylor Sander lead their offense with 28 kills. That's more points needed to win a whole set! 


BYU played their final game for the tournament against UC Santa Barbra, 2011 championships runner-up team. They swept UCSB in three sets! Once again, Taylor Sander led all players with 17 kills. He isn't my idol for nothing! Don't miss BYU's next game as they try to even things out with UC Irvine (no. 2) on January 13 and 14.