PROVO -- Cougar fans will have their first chance to preview the 2009-10 BYU men’s volleyball team when it hosts its traditional Alumni Match at 3 p.m. in the Smith Fieldhouse on Saturday.
The alumni team will consist of 10 former Cougars, including current assistant coach Rob Neilson (’06) at setter. Joining him will be middle blocker Michael Burke (’05) and four members of the 2004 graduating class, Joe Hillman, Cory Carpenter and BYU women’s assistant coach Shawn Olmstead. Other alumni include Taylor Evans (’06), Rodrigo Gomes (’07) Mac Wilson (’01), Jonathan Charette (’08) and Brad Goldston (’99). Eight of these 10 former Cougars were members of National Championship winning teams in 1999, 2001 or 2004.
The current BYU team returns 11 players with starting experience, including All-MPSF Second Team honorees Andrew Stewart at outside hitter and middle blocker Futi Tavana. Honorable mention selection Yamil Perez also returns at setter.
Stewart and Perez lead a talented group of six seniors that includes setter Reed Chilton, libero Joel Silva and opposites Mat Taylor and Kent Tuttle.
Fourteen of the 17 current roster members return from 2009, while sophomores Erik Mayer and Robby Stowell are back at BYU after serving two-year LDS missions. Fans will also have a chance to see true freshman Tyler Heap.
Saturday will mark the first action for the 2009-10 team before it kicks off preseason play at the Las Vegas Tournament next week.
Admission to the match is free.