Following prepping for finals and film, the team headed to the CenturyLink Center for the prematch press conference and practice. After Shawn Olmstead, Heather Hannemann and Jennifer Hamson addressed the media, the Cougars got their first look at the volleyball court.

After practice, the team went to the Winter Quarters Visitors Center to see the pioneer museum and the gingerbread house display. Families and groups from the area created the gingerbread houses for the display.

The team then walked around the temple grounds, the pioneer cemetery and monuments.

After an evening of travel with lots of airplane turbulence, the BYU women's volleyball team landed safely in Omaha, Neb. They checked into their hotel, right by the CenturyLink Center, where they will play against Oregon Friday at 4 p.m. CST. 

The 2012 BYU women's volleyball media guide is now available online. The guide contains all the information about the 2012 season in one location. BYU media guides are no longer printed.

Visit the 2012 media guide here.

BYU women’s volleyball received seven WCC Commissioner’s Honor Roll accolades for the 2011-12 season.

Rookie defensive specialist Tia Withers received Gold Honors, which are given to letterwinners who completed more than 12 graded credit hours per term and maintain above a 3.75 GPA.

In the Silver Honors category, sophomore Kimberli Boswell, sophomore Jennifer Hamson and junior Nicole Warner represented BYU with GPAs higher than 3.5. Sophomore Coriann Clark Thompson, junior Kendalyn Hartsock and freshman Katie Vaughn received Bronze Honors.

View BYU’s official release for a complete list of honor roll award winners.

Class: Senior

Position: Outside hitter

Height: 6-1

Academic major: Exercise and wellness

Academic minor: Business

Favorite color: Green (yellow in close second)

Favorite movie: I love too many

Favorite place to eat: My house w/ my mom cooking

Favorite musical: Wicked

Someone you look up to: Everyone in my family

Athlete crush: Dwayne Wade

Favorite actor: Julia Roberts/Ryan Reynolds

Favorite place to travel: La Jolla, Calif.

Something few people know about you: I’m 1/12 Indian.

If you were queen for a day, you would:

Throw a ball.

Favorite quote/motto: “Keep on keeping on.”

When did you decide to come to BYU? As soon as I came out of the womb.

Class: Senior

Position: Outside hitter

Height: 6-1

Academic major: Exercise and wellness

Favorite color: Purple

Favorite movie: Despicable Me

Favorite musical: Phantom of the Opera

Someone you look up to: My mom. She’s smart. :)

Athlete crush: Jordan Thurston. He’s an awesome snowboarder and he’s way HOT!

Favorite actor: Jack Black

Favorite place to travel: Coronado, Calif.

Something few people know about you: I was still born.

If you were queen for a day, you would:

Eat a lot of ice cream and travel with my family.

Top thing you did this summer: Camping with family.

Why did you decide to come to BYU? It is close to family and my brother was here for school.

Class: Senior

Position: Outside hitter/opposite hitter

Height: 5-11

Academic major: Psychology

Favorite color: Turquoise, purple, black

Favorite movie: The Proposal

Favorite place to eat: Home :)

Favorite musical: Mama Mia

Someone you look up to: My sister, Victoria Phillips-Tuione

Athlete crush: Blake Griffin

Favorite actor: Aishwayra Rai

Favorite place to travel: Hawaii, anywhere my family is.

Something few people know about you: I’m Maori.

If you were queen for a day, you would: Do anything and everything with my family and friends.

Top three things you did this summer: Hiked, spent time w/ nephews and nieces, California.

Why did you decide to come to BYU? It’s close to home and the awesome environment. 

Position: Middle blocker

Year: Sophomore

Height: 6-2

Academic major: Chemistry education

Favorite color: Bright pink 

Favorite movie: The Princess Bride

Favorite place to eat: My own kitchen

Favorite musical: The Sound of Music

Someone you look up to: My mother

Athlete crush: Any tall, hot guy

Favorite actor: Tony Shaloub

Favorite place to travel: Disneyland

Something few people know about you: I love speaking in accents. :)

If you were queen for a day, you would: Establish world peace.

Favorite quote/motto: Always do your best and you’ll have no regrets.

Why did you decide to come to BYU? BYU is an outstanding school.