Cougars make a clean sweep at the Bruins in conference play
Volleyball fans experience a superb display of skill every weekend with their favourite teams performing in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation men’s volleyball matches. This time around, it was the number three ranked Brigham Young University competing
against the number five ranking University of California Los Angeles which entertained 4101 spectators. BYU were able to make a clean sweep over the Bruins in their home ground. The victory extended the Cougar’s winning streak to 4-0 for matches played on
native turf.
By the end of the match, the score board showed 25-21, 27-25, 25-20 in favour of BYU. Where the Cougars have been able to perform with such skill, the Bruins have been unable to step up their game in the conference matches. UCLA was dealt a 3-1 defeat against
the Cougars on Friday as well.
According to Robert Page, freshman outside hitter for UCLA, his team had to face tough conditions: “The altitude was a factor, the fans, the gym, all of it made for a tough atmosphere. It was actually a lot of fun though – had we won both games, this probably
would have been my favourite place I have ever played.”
In the first set, the Cougars were at a deficit of three points but they did not let it overpower their game. The game was able to reach a tie at 16-16, which was overtaken by BYU in their first lead of the match at 17-16. From then on, the Cougars were
in control of the game, eventually winning the set at 25-21.
The second set began on a similar note as the first set. UCLA maintained control initially but the Cougars were able to break through and tie the set at 17-17. After that point on, the match becomes intensely competitive, with each side trying to tip the
scales towards their side. However, junior Rob Stowell with his set high kills of eight, managed to lead the Cougars to victory at 27-25.
Building on the momentum generated in the second set, the Cougars were able to cash in and secure an early lead in the third set of the match at 4-3. BYU displayed superior skill by not giving the lead away to UCLA. Consequently, the Bruins were unable to
gain dominance in the entire set and kept trailing the Cougars, who managed to win the final set at 25-20.
Prominent among the Cougars was Kevin Sagers, who gained season high kills totalling at eight, four digs and two serving aces.
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