PROVO -- After a month of practice and several preseason matches in Canada and Dallas, the BYU men's volleyball team will conclude fall practice schedule with its annual Blue and White match, Friday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. in the Smith Fieldhouse.
The team will divide into two squads and give the fans a preview of what to expect when the season begins.
"It will be the fans' last chance to see the team before the season starts in January," BYU coach Tom Peterson said. "Our team has worked hard over the last month and made a lot of progress. It should be an exciting match."
During the month of October, the Cougars played six exhibition matches and finished 4-2. BYU played four matches at the University of Alberta against four of the top Canadian University teams and finished 2-2. Last weekend, the Cougars traveled to Dallas and earned two four-game wins over Pepperdine, the 2005 NCAA national champions.
"Anytime you beat Pepperdine it's a good thing," Peterson said. "At the same time, this is still the preseason. We need to keep building on what we have done over the last month to compete for the MPSF championship this season."
Friday's match will feature a mix of several returning players and newcomers. All-Americans Ivan Perez and Victor Batista are back along with Rob Neilson, an All-MPSF honoree, and 2005 starters Brian Rowley, Taylor Evans and Russell Holmes. Other returnees who will play include Bryan Stewart, Trent Sorensen and Brian Congelliere.
Among the newcomers to watch include junior college transfer Jonathan Charette, freshmen Andy Pompei, Ryan Oates and Rodrigo Gomes.