Below are quotes and pictures from Friday's pre-championship press conference with BYU head coach Chris McGown, Ben Patch and Russ Lavaja. 

BYU head coach Chris McGown

A lot happened last week for BYU's Ziggy Ansah, graduating from BYU and being selected with the No. 5 overall pick in the NFL Draft. ESPN's Todd McShay said "five years ago, Ezekiel Ansah had never even seen a football game, now he's the 5th pick. Best story of the draft."  

The Cougars just wrapped up practice at Pauley Pavilion in preparation for tonight's semifinal match against Penn State at 9 p.m. MDT. You can watch BYU live at NCAA.com.

The team participated in the AVCA Awards Banquet Wednesday night, honoring this year's AVCA All-Americans. Among those being recognized from BYU were junior Taylor Sander and freshman Ben Patch, both named to the All-America First Team, and senior Russ Lavaja, who was named to the second team. Patch was also honored as the NCAA Division I-II Newcomer of the Year.

Check out pictures below from the Cougars' practice today at Pauley Pavilion in preparation for the 2013 NCAA National Championships.

Below are quotes and pictures from Wednesday's pre-tournament press conference with BYU head coach Chris McGown, Taylor Sander and Ryan Boyce.

USA Volleyball has announced the 22 players that will comprise the 2013 U.S. Men’s Junior National Volleyball Training Team.

From the roster of 22, 12 players will be chosen to compete in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s U21 World Championship as well as the U21 Pan American Cup.

Eleven of the players on the training team, including Patch, were part of the 2012 U.S. Men’s Junior National Team that won the NORCECA Men's Junior Continental Championship in Colorado Springs. Patch was named the tournament MVP.

Following Ezekiel Ansah going No. 5 to the Detroit Lions, the media, Twitter and people across the globe chimed in on the rookie from Ghana. Check out the following links to some stories on Ziggy (and check out a few more photos from Radio City Music Hall).

NFL.com: The Detroit Lions select Ansah

On Thursday, former BYU defensive end Ziggy Ansah's journey from Ghana to the NFL became a reality when he was selected as the fifth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.

In advance of the start of the NFL Draft on Thursday in New York, BYU's Ziggy Ansah and other top NFL prospects participated in a full day of activities Wednesday throughout Manhatten.