PROVO -- The Cougars split to make the Blue and White squads Friday night in the Smith Fieldhouse for the Blue/White Preview to wrap up the fall practice season. The teams coached themselves in a three-game rally that ended with a White-team wipeout going 3-0 on Blue. Games scores were close, with Blue finishing within five points of White every game (30-26, 30-26, 30-25).
The first two games featured returning seniors Rob Nielson and Taylor Evans on the Blue team, joined by returning junior Russell Holmes, returned missionary Shaun Muaina, freshman Andy Pompei and newcomer junior Jonathan Charette from Long Beach City College. The White team was made up of returning seniors Victor Batista and Brian Rowley, returning junior Bryan Stewart, returning sophomores Brian Congelliere and Ivan Perez and freshman Rodrigo Gomes. Batista, who averaged 3.53 kills per game last season, proved to the crowd he's ready for another season, with a strong performance and several kills to lead White to double wins.
After game two, coach Tom Peterson, who refereed the games, warmed up the newcomers to see their first action at BYU for the third game.
The White team was joined by senior Josh Brecheisen and freshmen Ryan Oates and Shaun Muaina.
Junior Josh Allen from Golden West College, junior Scott Cox, sophomore Trent Sorensen and Freshmen Chip Neff and Quentin Smith joined the Blue team.
Peterson said he was impressed with the newcomers level of play, and the returners, but he said the team still needs some practice before the season.
"I saw a lot of good things out there," he said. "But good things that need to get better."
Stewart, who played on the Blue team, agreed the teams were "on and off at times," but for him, having a crowd helped the experience.
"We played just as good as we do at practice," he said. "If not better with the crowd."
The Cougars will continue practices until the regular season begins in January.