PROVO -- The BYU men's volleyball team swept the University of Puerto Rico in three games Saturday night in preseason play. The Cougars won 31-29, 30-20 and 30-27.
As a team, the Cougars hit .360, which BYU head coach Shawn Patchell said is a benchmark for the team's success this season.
"I think everyone played well today," Patchell said. "We hit .360 tonight, and that's our team goal so we feel pretty good about that."
After taking a close 31-29 victory in game one, the Cougars won game two handily, 30-20. UPR kept it close in the early going as the game's first 14 points featured six ties. With the set knotted at 7-7 BYU took command the rest of the way, building its lead to as many as 10 points. Senior opposite Jonathan Charette led the way with six kills for the game.
The third set went much the same way, as the Cougars went on an 8-3 run after gaining an early 5-4 lead. With his team ahead 17-12, Patchell subbed in four of his six starters. Puerto Rico responded by winning two of the next three points, cutting its deficit to four points at 18-14. Another 8-3 BYU run pushed the team's lead to eight, but UPR continued to fight.
Puerto Rico climbed to within one at 28-27, but the one-point margin would be as close as it would get. The Cougars finished off game three taking the final two points off a Brian Congelliere kill and a Mat Taylor block.
BYU closes out its preseason schedule with an Alumni match Tuesday, Dec. 11. The match begins at 7 p.m., and admission is free.