MVLB–Cougars Take Second Night Against UCSD

With enthusiasm of last nights sweep, the Cougars came into the home of the Tritons with high hopes of a second sweep. However, UC San Diego also came with high hopes of beating BYU for once in their history. In the front row, Robb Stowell (#13) came into the game with twenty kills and nine blocks. He also put eight digs and four aces on his record. Puerto Rican sensation, Josue Rivera (#6) also contributed to the attacking lane with 15 kills, while Tyler Albertson (#16) put 10 kills on the scoreboard. Also with nine blocks was Russ Lavaja.

The night started off with the first set going back and forth between small point runs. The game came close and eventually tied at 21. The Cougars made sure that the Tritons wouldn't see the scoreboard again that set, and ended set number one, 25-21.

The second set got a little more exciting, with both teams chasing after each other's money. This second set became a historical one for BYU, with the score tying nine different times before hitting 25, but that's not where the game stopped. The score tied all the way till both teams hit 40: that's 15 points after game ending, but the rule is that you have to win by two. At this point, both teams realized that it was getting late, so both fought, but UC San Diego was able to fight a little harder. The 42-40 score went down in BYU's books as the most points allowed from an opponent in a single set, and the 40 points tied for the second most scored points in a single set in BYU volleyball history.

The third set was a completely different ending, however, it started off the same way, with more early ties.  The Tritons took advantage of a few errors, but Josue Rivera and Robb Stowell put some balls away, ensuring that San Diego wouldn't run too far. The score got a little scarier when the Tritons had the upper hand at 23-19, but the Cougars made sure that UCSD didn't see the scoreboard again, and ended the set on a six point streak.

The fourth set was full of point streaks and who would take a small lead, until the Tritons pulled the game forward to tie at 19. The Cougars took the next two points, but the Tritons finished off the set at 25-21.

For the second time since 1992, the Tritons and the Cougars saw a fifth set. The set was taken by BYU and recorded their thirty-second victory against UC San Diego.

The Cougars have never lost to UC San Diego, and have a record of 32-0 against them.